Muhammad in the Parsi scriptures
Wednesday 25/08/2010
Prophet Muhammad
in Zend Avesta
It is mentioned in Zend Avesta Farvardin Yasht chapter 28 verse 129
(Sacred Books of the East, volume 23, Zend Avesta Part II pg. 220):
"Whose name will be the Victorious, Soeshyant and whose name will be Astvat-ereta. He will be Soeshyant (the Beneficent one) because he will benefit the whole bodily world. He will be Astvat-ereta (he who makes the people, bodily creatures rise up) because as a bodily creature and as a living being he will stand against the destruction of the bodily (being) creatures to withstand the drug of the two footed brood, to withstand the evil done by the faithful (idolaters and the like and the errors of the Mazdaynians).”
This Prophecy applies to no other person more perfectly than it does to Muhammad
.
The Prophet
was not only victorious at conquest of Makkah but was also merciful when he let go the blood thirsty opponents by saying: "There shall be no reproof against you this day".
Soeshyant means the ‘praised one’ (refer Haisting’s Encyclopedia), which translated in Arabic means Muhammad
.
Astvat-ereta is derived from the root word Astu which in Sanskrit as well as in Zend means ‘to praise’. The infinitive Sitaudan in present day Persian means praising. It can also be derived from the Persian root word istadan which would mean ‘one who makes a thing rise up’. Therefore Astvat-ereta means the one who praised, which is the exact translation of the Arabic word 'Ahmad' which is another name for Prophet Muhammad
. The Prophecy clearly mentions both the names of the Prophet i.e. Muhammad and Ahmed
.
The Prophecy further says that he will benefit the whole bodily world and the Quran testifies this in the chapter Al-Anbiyaa': "And We have not sent you [O Muhammad] except as a mercy to the worlds." [Quran 21:107]
Sanctity of Prophet’s Companions:
In Zend Avesta Zamyad Yasht chapter 16 verse 95 (Sacred Books of the East, volume 23 Zend Avesta Part II pg. 308):
“And there shall his friends come forward, the friends of Astvat-ereta, who are fiend-smitting, well thinking, well-speaking, well-doing, following the good law and whose tongues have never uttered a word of falsehood.”
Here too Prophet Muhammad
is mentioned by name as Astvat-ereta.
There is also a mention of the Prophet’s friends as companions who will be fighting the evil; pious, holy men having good moral values and always speaking the truth. This is a clear reference to the Sahaabah – the Prophet's companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
Prophet Muhammad
in Dasatir:
The sum and substance of the prophecy mentioned in Dasatir is, that when the Zoroastrian people will forsake their religion and will become dissolute, a man will rise in Arabia, whose followers will conquer Persian and subjugate the arrogant Persians. Instead of worshipping fire in their own temples, they will turn their faces in prayer towards Kaaba of Abraham (may Allah exalt his mention) which will be cleared of all idols. They (the followers of the Arabian Prophet), will be a mercy unto the world. They will become masters of Persia, Madain, Tus, Balkh, the sacred places of the Zoroastrians and the neighboring territories. Their Prophet will be an eloquent man telling miraculous things.
This Prophecy relates to no other person but to Muhammad
.
Muhammad
will be the Last Prophet:
It is mentioned in Bundahish chapter 30 verses 6 to 27 that Soeshyant will be the last Prophet implying that Muhammad
will be the last Prophet. The Quran testifies this in the Chapter Al-Ahzaab: " Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing." [Quran 33:40]