Does Deuteronomy 34:10 predict the coming of Muhammad?

“Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face (Deut. 34:10).”

Muslim Argument

Muslims argue that this could not be an Israelite since the text says, “…no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses….” Instead, these Muslims believe that Muhammad fulfills this prophecy.

Christian Response

There are a number of serious problems with arguing that Muhammad fulfills this prophecy in Deuteronomy 34:10.1 First, it must be noted that the “since that time” refers to the time since Moses’ death up until the last chapter of Deuteronomy was written probably at the time of Joshua (c. 1400 B.C.). Even if parts of Deuteronomy were written later, as some critics argue, it was still composed well over a thousand years before the time of Muhammad (570-632 A.D.).

Second, this text cannot refer to Muhammad since the prophet to come would be like Moses who did “…all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land (Deut. 34:11).” Muhammad, even by his own confession, did not perform miracles. (Surah 2:118; 3:183).

Third, this prophet to come would speak to God “face to face” (Deut. 34:10), but Muhammad never claimed to speak to God directly. Instead, he received revelations through an angel (25:32; 17:105). Therefore, this passage does not refer to Muhammad.