The Gospel of Barnabas

`Unworthy though I am to untie his hosen, I have received grace and mercy from God to see him.'

Then answered the priest, with the governor and the king, saying: `Distress not thyself, O Jesus, holy one of God, because in our time shall not this sedition be any more, seeing that we will write to the sacred Roman senate in such wise that by imperial decree none shall any more call thee God or son of God.'

Then said Jesus: `With your words I am not consoled, because where ye hope for light darkness shall come; but my consolation is in the coming of the messenger, who shall destroy every false opinion of me, and his faith shall spread and shall take hold of the whole world, for so hath God promised to Abraham our father. And that which giveth me consolation is that his faith shall have no end, but shall be kept inviolate by God.'

The priest answered: `After the coming of the messenger of God shall other prophets come?'

Jesus answered: `There shall not come after him true prophets sent by God, but there shall come a great number of false prophets, whereat I sorrow. For Satan shall raise them up by the just judgement of God, and they shall hide themselves under the pretext of my gospel.'

Herod answered: `How is it a just judgement of God that such impious men should come?'

Jesus answered: `It is just that he who will not believe in the truth to his salvation should believe in a lie to his damnation. Wherefore I say unto you, that the world hath ever despise the true prophets and loved the false, as can be seen in the time of Michaiah and Jeremiah. For every like loveth his like.'

Then said the priest: `How shall the Messiah be called, and what sign shall reveal his coming?'

Jesus answered: `The name of the Messiah is admirable, for God himself gave him the name when he had created his soul, and placed it in a celestial splendour. God said: "Wait Mohammed; for thy sake I will to create paradise, the world, and a great multitude of creatures, whereof I make thee a present, insomuch that whoso bless thee shall be blessed, and whoso shall curse thee shall be accursed. When I shall send thee into the world I shall send thee as my messenger of salvation, and thy word shall be true, insomuch that heaven and earth shall fail, but thy faith shall never fail." Mohammed is his blessed name.'

Then the crowd lifted up their voices, saying: `O God, send us thy messenger: O Mohammed, come quickly for the salvation of the world!'

An Islamic Perspective and Commentary
by
Ishaq Zahid

 The Holy Quran states the words of Jesus (peace be on him) regarding Muhammad (peace be on him) as below.

061.006  And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the
apostle of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving
Glad Tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But
when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!"

061.007  Who doth greater wrong than one who invents falsehood against God, even
as he is being invited to Islam? And God guides not those who do wrong.

061.008  Their intention is to extinguish God's Light (by blowing) with their mouths:
But God will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the Unbelievers
may detest (it).

061.009  It is He Who has sent His Apostle with Guidance and the Religion of Truth,
that he may proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it).

Ahmad is of Arabic origin, and its meaning is "highly praised or one who constantly thanks God". One of the many names of the prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).