Hey I have a question that Is really bugging me, how did Christianity and Judaism see Muhammad? Was he at all mentioned in the Bible or amongst Jewish history? Thanks a lot, ill award points for an answer!
Judaism preceded Christianity.... Christianity preceded Islam. Ergo, neither Judaism nor Christianity mentioned anything whatsoever about Islam... except maybe in the general prophesy that there would be many false prophets.
Adherent of many religions are at times blinded to such a point that they fail to apply logic or reason to their faith or beliefs. For example, Saint Thomas Aquinas, the most rational of Christian theologians, stopped the use of reason when it came to the basic fundamentals of Christian faith. He then tried to justify faith. So to ask "why Christianity?" is an illegitimate question. However, Allah invites the question as to "why Islam?".“We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.”3:118
Islam is a rational system which not only allows questions but raises knowledge to a new level of dignity and respect. No other religion has exalted knowledge and its pursuit, as has Islam. In fact, for the first time in human history, a religious book invited people to question the creation of the universe and stated that in it (the universe) were signs for people of understanding. ‘In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of intelligence.’ (Surah Ali-‘Imran: 190-191) “He directs the whole affair. He makes the Signs clear so that hopefully you will be certain about the meeting with your Lord.” (Chapter Ra'd: 2)
Everything in Islam is subject to rational pursuit.
Islam is an intellectual and historical religion. There are no secrets and no mysteries which cannot be understood by an ordinary person.
We should, therefore, refrain from forming particular ideology or opinion prior to witnessing clear evidence-just as Islam advises us.
The Qur'an, this extraordinary book which was revealed to the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Almighty be upon him), is a source of inspiration and true knowledge. “Allah Himself is witness that there is no God save Him. And the angels and the men of learning too are witness…There is no God save Him, the Almighty, the Wise.”3:18.The book of Islam-no matter what subject it refers to-is being proved as Allah's Word as each new piece of historical, scientific or archaeological information comes to light. Facts about scientific subjects and the news delivered to us about the past and future, facts that no being could have known at the time of the Qur'an's revelation, are announced in its verses. It is impossible for this information to have been known with the level of knowledge and technology available in 7th century Arabia. With this in mind, shan’t we allow our common sense to speak on behalf of us awhile?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known that our atmosphere is made up of seven layers?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known the precise date of the lunar landings?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known the exact ratio of the sea to the land?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known the atomic number every single element?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known the genetic code of all living organisms?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known that the star ‘Sirius’ is the brightest star in the night sky?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known that the universe is "steadily expanding," as the Qur'an puts it, when modern scientists have only in recent decades put forward the idea of the "Big Bang"?
“And He shows you His signs. So, which of the signs of Allah do you deny?” 40:81
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known about the fact that each individual's fingertips are absolutely unique, when we have only discovered this fact recently, using modern technology and modern scientific equipment?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known about black holes, Pulsars, the Rosette Nebula, sub-atomic particles, quantum physics, fossilization and iron content, the layers of Earth, the weight of clouds, the relativity of Time, the Force of Gravity, the Orbital Movements, the sun’s trajectory, the programming in genes, the sun’s hydrogen and helium content, or many other facts scientists of our day are only just beginning to discover?
The only answer to these questions is thus : the Qur'an is the Word of the Almighty Allah, the Originator of everything and the One Who encompasses everything with His knowledge. In one verse, Allah says, "If it had been from other than Allah, they would have found many inconsistencies in it." (Qur'an, 4:82) Every piece of information the Glorious Qur'an contains reveals the secret miracles of this divine book