Prophetic Tidings in Ancient Books: A Reading of the Testament of Moses

Whoever contemplates ancient scriptural heritage finds clear evidence confirming the truth of the Prophethood of the Chosen One (peace be upon him). Among the most remarkable of these evidences is what appeared in the rare manuscripts known as the Assumption of Moses (Testament of Moses).

This book includes a striking text attributed to the Prophet of God, Moses (peace be upon him), saying to his servant: "1750 years after my death, the kingdom of the coming Prophet shall appear." When subjecting this text to historical investigation, we find a stunning surprise; the time period extending from the death of Moses (peace be upon him) to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is exactly 1750 years.

These texts are not merely passing references, but are precise tidings that determined the time of the mission accurately. This explains the state of intense waiting and anticipation that prevailed among the People of the Book at that time. The Jews in Yathrib used to seek victory over those who disbelieved, saying to the people of Medina: "The time of a Prophet who will emerge now has approached; we shall follow him."

This historical confirmation is what the Holy Qur'an referred to in the Almighty's saying:

And has it not been a sign for them that the scholars of the Children of Israel know it?

(Surah Ash-Shu'ara: 197)

The correspondence of these prophecies with historical reality represents a profound argument for the truth of the Muhammadan message, confirming that the mention of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was recorded and known among the rabbis and scholars of the People of the Book.