Does Habakkuk 3:3 predict the coming of Muhammad?

by Ryan Turner

“God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran Selah His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise (Hab. 3:3).”

Muslim Argument

Some Muslims argue that this passage refers to Muhammad coming from Paran (Arabia) in light of Deuteronomy 33:2. (See: Does Deuteronomy 33:2 predict the coming of Muhammad?)

Christian Response

There are a number of serious problems with arguing that Muhammad fulfills this “prophecy” in Deuteronomy 34:10.1  First, Paran is not near Mecca where Muhammad came from, but is hundreds of miles away.  Second, the text is speaking of God coming, not Muhammad who denied being God.  Third, the “praise” does not refer to Muhammad (whose name means “the praised one”), since the subject of “praise” and “glory” is God (“His”).  Even Muslims would agree that Muhammad should not be praised as God.  Therefore, it is unreasonable to believe that this passage is referring to Muhammad.

  • 1. Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002, p. 155.

 

 

 

 
 
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