The symbols { } are used to further clarify certain meanings.
We find in the Glorious Quran that Jesus (pbh) foretold the advent of the coming of the next prophet, Prophet Muhammad (pbh) by name. Is that an accurate statement?
According to the vast majority of Christians involved in a religious outlook, the answer would be a resounding no! In admitting otherwise, it would show modern day Christianity, as a religion at least, leaves something to be critically questioned.
And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of ALLAH (sent) to you, confirming {and upholding} the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Prophet to come after me, whose name shall be AHMAD.” But when he came to them with CLEAR SIGNS, they said, “This is evident sorcery!” Quran (61:6)
The Prophet (pbh) said: “I have many names: I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am al-Mahi through whom ALLAH obliterates unbelief, and I am Hashir (the gatherer) at whose feet people will be gathered {on the Last Day of Judgment} and I am ‘Aqib (after whom there would be no other prophet sent to mankind): the Seal of the Prophets), and ALLAH has named him as compassionate and merciful. (Muslim)
Those who follow the Messenger {Muhammad}, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), – in the Law {Old Testament} and in the Gospel {New Testament}; – for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them {This concept is found in Isaiah Chapter 42}. So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow THE LIGHT which is sent down with him {the Quran and Sunnah}, – it is they who will prosper {in the FINAL END}. Quran (7:157)
The reasons for this Christian denial are quite simple. People tend to be interested in ‘their truths’ and not universal truths when it comes to a topic such as religion especially if it damages their long held cherished beliefs. Beliefs that would call into account their self-proclaimed greatness.
An example of this is the slogan, ‘Keep America Great Again’. These are just words that make some people feel so much more than they really are which seems to be needed by weak minds and weaker souls.
The universal judgment made and taking things into consideration (culture, learning ability, newness to doctrine, opportunities, etc.) by an ALL POWERFUL GOD seems to escape certain people especially those who have certain defects like the inability to understand various peoples, cultures and ways of life sometimes called the ‘human experience’!
Taking a scientific, logical and historical approach to the problem may not satisfy a self-serving egotist but it does provide balance and gives probabilities that should be taken into consideration.
Dismissive tactics, because thinking about things may cause the brain to work and knowledge to open up, are not tools looked upon to unlock human potential by some. These dismissive tactics are tools only to deceive and retard human spiritual growth. And they do a pretty good job of it too!
These bad attitudes are not the privilege of just Jews and Christians but of all the human race including those calling themselves Muslims. So, welcome to a universal trait that needs to be guarded against.
The Prophet (pbh) said, “Surely you {Muslims} will follow the ways, of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e. inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a lizard, you too would follow them.” We said, “O ALLAH’s Messenger! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Whom else?” (Bukhari)
The Gospel of John in the New Testament contains the most relevant notions about the coming of a new prophet after Jesus (pbh). When studied correctly, with an interest in finding the truth, it will be found that indeed the Spirit of truth talked about is in fact the prophecy of another human (male) individual to enter into Earth’s environs as a prophet.
The need for another prophet after Jesus becomes very evident when one studies church history/doctrine and the actions of nations before the advent of Islam. It is also part of the ONE GOD’s PLAN as humanity is being marshaled towards their fate.
With that being said, it behooves the inquirer to review the Gospel of John in truth especially the idea of the Spirit of truth as what it might mean to those who put their trust in their LORD and not their own egos.
There are two types of verses found in the holy Books: Muhkamat verses or verses which should be clear and unambiguous, that is, verses of a general import needed for the practicality of mankind in serving his LORD.
The other type of verse are the Mutashabihat verses which are the supernatural verses and are packed with a great deal of knowledge which unfortunately can be twisted into bizarre and false interpretations. Mostly, what is found in the Gospel of John about the Spirit of truth are Muhkamat type verses and should be understood readily when given certain historical and ‘human psychological’ knowledge.
The Gospel of John has been proven by competent scholars to have been written by at least two different people and perhaps a third different person at various times. This presents a major, telltale key going to be entered upon. Why would an organization do such a thing or permit such an action?
The Gospel of John finally got its recognition as being ‘true’ in its first formally canonized version {accepted as legal and binding on the people who have that faith} during the councils of Hippo in 393 AD.
Now we have a problem because two or three different people writing at various times does not a completely true gospel make. In all probability, the third writer probably touched up John’s work towards the end of the Gospel concerning the supposed crucifixion of Jesus (pbh). This is the reason why I call this Gospel the “Non-Crucifixion, Crucifixion Gospel.”
Since the Gospel of John in SOME FORM was first known in the early part of the second century and was FIRST MENTIONED only around 120 AD by Justin Martyr in the West (Rome) we can be sure that it is a fairly relevant and accurate book depicting the current, accepted beliefs of the day.
Being a Gospel not written in Rome but in the EAST and being that the times were fairly primitive communication-wise, the above knowledge does not detract too much from the veracity of this Gospel at that late date. In all honesty, however, it does pose a small but major problem.
That is one of the major problems with this Gospel (multiple authors)! The other major problem with this Gospel is the concept that Christians have of Christianity. It has, as a religion, a very murky and spotty past!
All of the New Testament books were written by Jews except the Book of Acts. Even the Book of Acts, written some time just before 90 AC, concedes that the so-called people of faith depended heavily on the Old Testament for their practices and rituals. This means that Christianity as we would know it today was not yet a real separate religion.
Recognizable Christianity as we would know it today would have started sometime in the late third century. However, it has its roots as a philosophy in the middle of the second century.
Before that we find the definition of that religion put up in the air between various groups such as the Gnostics, Philosophers, various Pagan groups and Judaism. So, ‘true Christianity’ had to coalesce between these distinctive features and remake itself over again several times. This is not all bad since it takes some time to weed out the poisons that had seeped into the ‘religion’ or way of life taught by Jesus (pbh).
The Christian lay persons’ thinking, especially Evangelical thinking about what Christianity (the real teachings of Jesus) was, is woefully immature and terribly incorrect. This is true especially when compared to actual, real in-depth study of the religion.
Firstly, the Bible as we have it today is not perfect but it still remains a good guide book only when interpreted and studied correctly. That idea we can get from the Quran. And we always go to the Quran first to get the proper balance and setting for where we want to go.
Secondly, the population of Christian worshipers up to the beginning of the second century was quite tiny in comparison to Jews and Pagans. Keith Hopkins, a professor of Ancient History at King’s College in Cambridge England, has in a scholarly work dealt with the number of Christians in the early centuries including their persecutions. It would be an eye opener to many who profess the Christian Religion.
Thirdly, low literacy rates and only small groups of ‘believers’ give off both a positive and negative influence on the developing religion after Jesus (pbh) left the Earth. This will cause some problems but will eventually help to insure a more honest belief system.
Concerning the relevant verses about Prophet Muhammad in the Gospel of John:
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I {Jesus} go away: for if I don’t go away, the Comforter will not {be ready to} come unto you; but if I depart, {God} I will send him to you. {As all things are due in their proper season/time}
And when he {this person} is come, he will reprove {take to task, admonish, rebuke, chastise, censure and scold} THE WORLD {because} of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they do NOT {really} believe in me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my GOD, and you see me no more;
Of Judgment, because the prince of this world is judged {has been totally judged and cleared of any falsehoods labeled against him}.
I have yet many things to say unto you but you cannot bear them now.
However, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will GUIDE {as in instruction} you into ALL TRUTH: for he shall NOT speak of himself {on his own authority}; but whatsoever he shall hear {from on HIGH}, that shall he speak: and he will show you things {that will take place in the future as all high prophets do} to come.
He {this entity} shall glorify me {by way of truth as to my real-self (personage)}: for he shall receive of mine and show it unto you.
All things that the GOD has {given me as a reward} are mine; therefore I said, that he shall take of mine, and shall show {demonstrate} it to you. John (16:7-15)
It is the Islamic commentators’ belief that the Paraclete of John Chapters 14, 15 and 16 pronounced/written parakletos as is found in today’s Gospel of John meaning Counselor/Comforter/Advocate was originally pronounced/written as periklytos rendered as being an illustrious/praiseworthy type of person and is the one who gives out much praise {to his LORD}.
‘Ahmad’ in Arabic is a name meaning “The one who gives praise” and therefore it is thought that the real term in the Gospel of John should be pErIklUtos instead of what appears today as pArAklEtos which amounts to just a few vowel changes.
Just looking at these two words with a substitution of vowels drives the idea of ‘just being a coincidence’ to the wall! One logically would NOT expect such a close shadowing of these two words to occur naturally since the meanings IN GREEK would normally vary drastically.
However, it is very, very important to note that Jesus (pbh) did NOT SPEAK GREEK! Because we don’t have anywhere near the originals translated from Aramaic into Greek due to the population outside of Palestine speaking more of a Greek tongue. We are actually off by nearly 200 years in dealing with this problem.
In other words, no original complete documents can be produced for centuries!
However, we don’t need a complete Johnannine Gospel. All we need is something that is very, very old since we don’t have the Syriac-type Aramaic version which has long ago been lost.
According to the Arab historian Ibn Ishaq a Syriac source did contain the name for Muhammad/Ahmad by rendering this Spirit of truth as munhamanna.
The earliest Greek partial manuscript that mentions the important passage of John 16 containing the Spirit of truth dates from around 200 AD or a little bit later and NO SOONER! This manuscript is called the Papyrus Bodmer.
WARNING: Is there anything that happened BEFORE this critical time to explain WHY THERE WOULD BE A CHANGE IN WHAT MUSLIMS CALL THE ORIGINAL EXPRESSION SIGNALING THE COMING OF ANOTHER PROPHET?
In a little bit after 135 AD, a false prophet (Montanus) along with two women friends of his came from out of the East (present day Turkey) and wrecked a great deal of havoc with what can be liberally called ‘The Church’ at that time. Their influence was so great that many Christians were turning their beliefs towards him and his female prophesying companions.
It got so bad that even the Pope (Eleuterus) in the West (Rome) was reputed to have written or about to write a letter of his approval of Montanus. And even one of the greatest Christian pillars of all time of what was called ‘the True Christian Faith’, Tertullian of the trinity fame, openly sided with this deceiver.
The church at Rome (in the West) was in trouble but fought back valiantly and in the end had enough ‘muscle’ to outlast this false dreamer and his organization. That was a close call indeed!
Anyone of the ‘Believers’ who was able to read (not many people by the way at that time) the Johnannine passage about the Spirit of truth knew that another man was coming as a Prophet. It is just that simple! And that explains how so many so-called ‘believing Christians’ were willing to go along with this charade.
The people, who were in charge of their various, small congregations, were from the Eastern part of the Empire where the Gospel of John, Revelation and Epistles of John were thought to be produced. Those placed over their small gatherings (congregations) did give vent to these ideas and so Montanism did indeed found its acceptance and spread rapidly.
But a lesson learned in ‘organizational survival’ by Rome was not going to be overlooked. That passage in the Gospel of John caused trouble and that was NOT going to happen again!!!!!!!
BUT IT DID!!!!!!!!!!
NO SOONER OUT OF THE FIRE BUT INTO THE FRYING PAN another false prophet came on the scene with a tremendous appeal to those practicing the ‘one true faith’. His name was Mani and his parents belonged to a Jewish/Christian sect heavily involved in Gnosticism. He was born in Persia sometime around 216 AD.
Manichaeism spread like wildfire in the so-called Christian world. Due to the vastness of land area and the not yet total domination of Rome, any outlying areas still could control their so-called manuscripts whether they were Gospels or not. Manichaeism depended on Mani being the Spirit of truth so that he could give out his trance-like oracles and even correct what Jesus brought if need be.
THAT WAS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE WHEN ROME PUT ITS FOOT DOWN. This occurred most notably during Constantine’s reign when ALL MANUSCRIPTS NOT AGREEING WITH ‘CHURCH DOCTRINE’ MUST BE DESTROYED.
Back in those days it took a while to coalesce things but when Rome got going, it was eventually a literal tiger in making sure all Christians toed the line or else! In some cases that is very good for unifying people and beliefs and at other times, like all empires before and after it, it will lead to the ruling party to crumble like an old cookie. Hence, later on the need for and the success of the so-called Protestant Revolution!
However to be fair, the Christian Born Agains, to mention one group, have at least one more wrench to throw on the above idea and that comes from John (14:26):
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit {Archangel Gabriel}, whom the FATHER will send {NOT whom I will send as in John (16:7)} in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John (14:26)
…but if I depart, I {Jesus} will send him to you… John (16:7)
According to John (14:26) the Advocate being the Spirit of truth is the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit which will necessarily be found within the original Disciples.
However, by having more than one author to this Gospel, the chance of making a mistake increases! As one can readily see, John (16:7) proclaims Jesus will do the sending of this ‘spirit’ but in John (14:26) it is proclaimed that GOD will do the sending!
By taking out the phrase ‘the Holy Spirit’, one can revert back to a more normal reading! In Islam, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost as some people say is actually the Angel of Revelation – Gabriel. Therefore, the Spirit of truth is not an angel but a man and a man who will REVEAL a whole host of information concerning the way of worship and the Hereafter to name just a few things.
All human beings before they enter the world as babies are in actuality spirits because they have not yet been clothed with the flesh in the womb. This has been proven from authentic hadith literature.
Is that all? Not by a long shot!
A very peculiar description of this ‘Spirit of truth’ is found in John but has been overlooked by practically everyone. It is a very peculiar verse:
Whoever {truly} believes in me {Jesus}, as the Scripture has said, Out of his belly {abdominal region} will flow {as the sound of} rivers of living water {as in making a gurgling sound}.
Now this {expression} he {Jesus clarified by saying this sound will be connected to or} said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, BECAUSE Jesus was not yet glorified {unto the world}. John (7:38-39)
It is a very bizarre prophecy BUT TRUE NEVERTHELESS! It is doubtful that the Angel of Revelation will go around with a gurgling sound coming from the abdomen region! The expression when looked at very carefully describes a ‘condition’ that must be fulfilled by a human being! And on top of this, that person will glorify (bring to the forefront the truth about the personage of Jesus) AND THIS WAS DONE BY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbh)!!!!!
When the Muslims were so badly treated in Makkah by the heathen Quraish, and were not allowed to do business or buy anything for months and months, the little Muslim Community were driven by extreme hunger and had to eat leaves and any grasses they could find just to survive!
At that time, ACCORDING TO HADITH LITERATURE, the Prophet (pbh) had tied a stone or stones around his abdomen to keep the pangs of literal starvation at bay. The people around him noticed that a sound was coming from his abdomen like the sound of a ‘boiling or bubbling pot’ would make. THIS IS THE GURGLING SOUND BEING DISCUSSED IN THIS VERSE ABOVE!!!
As was implied beforehand, the so-called Christian writings, but actually Jewish writings found in the New Testament today, came from the Eastern Region of the Roman Empire. Literacy in those times was not overwhelmingly great among the common folk and travel and news did not occur swiftly like in today’s world.
Another Telltale Point:
Flavius Heraclius Augustus reigned as Ruler of the Byzantine Empire from 610 to 641 better known by Muslims as Heraclius. His coming into contact with Muslims during the last part of Muhammad’s (pbh) stay on Earth and continuing for over a decade thereafter provides very interesting details.
First of all, Heraclius was the real power and head of the Eastern Church and as ‘holy emperor’ he was like a president or king in today’s world. He commanded a lot of authority to say the least.
In his recorded dialogues with Arab Muslims he conceded that Muhammad (pbh) WAS A REAL PROPHET and ‘the expected one’ at that’!!! However, he was amazed that this ‘prophet’ would come from such a backward country as Arabia. He and his high religious officials were logically expecting an ARAB PROPHET TO COME FROM ‘CULTURED’ SYRIA AND NOT PRIMITIVE ARABIA.
WHY? We can only get long lost answers like this from studying the psychology of man and history as history tends to repeat itself again and again!!! Powerful rulers many times find the attraction to Earthly ‘pleasures’ stronger than real faith.
So, when Heraclius stated that he would, if he could, go to Arabia and wash the feet of this new Prophet he was weighing spiritual desires with earthly ones! The earthly ones, as history notes, eventually won out.
In conclusion, it is reasonable to assume that the ORIGINAL GOSPEL of John is a true and accurate record of the real facts. It is also very reasonable to assume that because of the times and slowness of communication that the Gospel of John did not get noticed in the WEST (Rome) until sometime around 120 AD.
When was the original Gospel of John written? The best estimate would be on or a little bit after 70 AD when, and only when, the knowledge of this matter is restricted to the ORIGINAL- ONE AUTHOR (the original author) is taken into consideration.
However, there was more than one craftsman working on either corrections or updates to this Gospel and that is acknowledged by many who are in a real authority on these matters. Regular church goers, preachers and denomination-type schools/universities have their own particular and biased agendas on this matter and this should be noted and not forgotten.
The Roman Church was not the only ‘voice’ in the era of formulating doctrines or what so-called primitive Christianity was evolving into. Rome had the resources and a very good power base that eventually won out over other ‘Christian Centers’. Rome (the West) had the power, the influence of political and monetary prestige as well as the ‘talent’ of the high powered and well educated philosophers.
Back in those days before electronic communication and rapid travel, things moved very slowly and one did not get instant analysis or communication as a way of formulating things. But the past is very much like the present in many human-type activities concerning SURVIVAL.
When the so-called SURVIVAL OF THE CHURCH was threatened by Montanus from the EAST, and some of the founding authorities were caving into this ‘pretend philosophy’, actions would naturally be taken to stop the beginnings of the disease. The whole base for this false philosophy and by which it stood or failed was the prophecy found in the Gospel of John concerning the coming of another prophet!
If Montanus was the promised ‘Comforter’ predicted to come in the Gospel of John, then it would only be natural to DERAIL that idea especially for the future. This makes good sense when one realizes that one of Montanus’ main goals was to create a New Jerusalem in his hometown in what is now present day Turkey.
The result of this move would signal the end of Rome as the main spiritual center for the burgeoning and developing Christian Religion. Since one pandemic-type disease came in the form of a ‘strange philosophy’, others might be persuaded to follow in its course and it is better to protect oneself and be prepared.
The most logical way to do that would be to try and cutoff the head of the snake before it could bite again. However, one can’t readily control what is beyond one’s boarders so easily and hence, another snake came out (Mani) and tried to pass himself off as the ‘promised new prophet’.
This is the reason for any kind of alteration done on the Gospel of John and that was to insure that the powers of the day were not going to be molested and that so-called ‘church doctrine’ could proceed to be pieced together smoothly.
After all, the ‘church’ did well in the monetary department as well as the area of prestige at least eventually. And most people do not fight for a losing cause when the ‘prize’ is still up for grabs or within their possible reach! So, in all probability the Gospel of John went under the knife for the good of the church!?
And say: “Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish.” Quran (17:81)
Ibn ‘Abbas in a hadith Qudsi reported that the Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) said: ALLAH the ALMIGHTY said: “The son of Adam has lied against ME but he has no right to do so and he has abused ME but he has no right to do so. As for his lie, it is his saying that I cannot recreate him as I did before. As for his abuse, it is his saying that I have a son but GLORIFIED AM I above taking a wife or a son.” (Bukhari)
WE {the ONE GOD} sent you {Muhammad into the world} not, but as a Mercy for all creatures. Quran (21:107)
Islam is the easy religion filled with truthful gems to elevate mankind to a stature of spiritual richness of promised excellence. Knowledge is of many kinds, but the knowledge for feeding the soul unto salvation in its final destination is truly worth more than the world and what it contains!
Easy Dhikr (Remembrance of ALLAH) but SO heavy on the scales determining one’s fate on the Day of Judgment!
- Prophet Muhammad (pbh) said: “Glorify ALLAH a hundred times by just saying Subhanallahand a Good deed will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” (Muslim)
- One of the Rare Treasures of Paradise:
Abu Dharr narrated that Rasulallah (pbh) said: “Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?” I replied spontaneously “Oh Rasulallah (pbh) that would be an honor indeed! Rasulallah (pbh) said: “That rare treasure is LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH.” (“There is no power and no strength but in ALLAH.” (Ibn Majah) -
A Date Palm planted in Paradise for the one who recites this:
Hadhrat Jaa’bir narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbh) said: “For the person who recites ‘SUB-HAN’ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM’DIHI’,‘Pure and Perfect is ALLAH in HIS Glory and Praise’, – A date palm will be planted for him in Paradise” (Tirmidhi)4. Forgiveness for Sins Even Though they are like the Foam of the Sea:
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever says, Subhan Allaahi Wa bihamdihi, {ALLAH is free from imperfection and His is the praise}. One hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. (Bukhari)5. That Which Shall Have no Equal on the Day of Resurrection:
Narrated Abu Huraira: ALLAH’s Prophet said, “Whoever says one hundred times in a day:
Laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahuu laa shareeka lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shai’in qadeer,”
(None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent). He will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he. (Bukhari)
