Muhammad
Muhammad was sent as a mercy to the worlds, which implies his prehuman existence and divinity.
Quick answer
While the Quran describes Muhammad as a mercy to the worlds, this does not equate to divinity or prehuman existence. The Christian understanding of Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:14) emphasizes His eternal nature and divine role in creation, which is distinct from Muhammad's role as a prophet.
Full argument
The Quranic verses that refer to Muhammad as a mercy to the worlds (S. 21:107) highlight his role as a messenger, not as a divine being. In Christianity, Jesus is identified as the Word (Logos) who existed before creation, as stated in John 1:1-3. This establishes a clear distinction between the nature of Jesus and Muhammad. Furthermore, the assertion that Muhammad existed before creation lacks biblical support and contradicts the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is eternally begotten, not created. The concept of mercy in the Quran does not imply divinity; rather, it reflects God's compassion towards humanity, which is fully realized in Jesus Christ, who embodies God's mercy through His sacrificial love on the cross.
Key verses
John 1:1bible
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14bible
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 1:3bible
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.
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- The New Testament anticipates a Prophet to come, the one like Moses, which means that Jesus is not the Prophet but that the Prophet would be someone else, namely Muhammad.
- According to the Bible, John the Baptist announced the coming of someone greater than himself, which Muslims believe refers to Muhammad, not Jesus.