Original Copy of the Bible is Hidden in the Vatican

Explained by Shaykh Uthaymeen

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee

Translator’s note: The following is from the explanation of Sahih Bukhari from the
book of tribulation. Shaykh Uthaymeen explains the statement of Heraclius to Abu
Sufyan, concerning Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “I knew that he
would emerge, but I did not think that he would be from among you. If I knew that
I could reach him, I would have done my utmost to go to meet him, and if I were
with him, I would wash his feet.” (Collected in Bukhari and Muslim)

Questioner: Is the speech of Heraclius based upon what Abu Sufyan said to him?

Shaykh Uthaymeen: That which is apparent to me is that his statement was based
upon what was in the Books (of the Christians) because he was a scholar of
Christianity. And it is possible that it was based upon both because the real Gospel
that was not altered mentions the prophecy of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The following was narrated to me by your brother who was the deputy pope in
Africa for proselytizing Christianity. He was the deputy calling to Christianity, he
had money and everything. But Allah the Mighty and Exalted guided him to Islam
about one year and six months ago. Thus, he embraced Islam. When the disbelievers
saw he had embraced Islam they removed him from his position and stripped away
his title as patriarch. But thirty thousand African Christians embraced Islam from his
hands. Allah is free from imperfection! This is because this man was sacred to them.
So, when they saw him embrace Islam (they embraced Islam).

He said to me, “there are original copies—right now, in the Vatican, original copies
of the Gospel (Bible) which are ancient. These copies mention the prophecy of
Muhammad (peace be upon him). But they conceal these copies. They do not show
them. If they find out that someone looked at them or took a copy, they kill them”.
This is found in the Quran.

‫يل‬ ِْ ‫وبا ِع َند ُهم ِفي التَّوَرِاة و‬

ِ ‫اْلن ِج‬ ِ َّ
َ ‫الذي َي ِج ُد‬
ً ُ‫ون ُه َم ْكت‬
َ ْ ْ
The one whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel.
(Soorah Al-'A`rāf 7:157)

Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Rida (may Allah have mercy upon him) said in his
book Tafsir al-Manar—when explaining this verse: “Many of their books—all of
them contain an affirmation of the prophecy of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Heraclius was a scholar. He wanted to embrace Islam and he mentioned to his

people that he wanted to embrace Islam. When he spoke to them about this, they
displayed a strong aversion and considered killing him. So, he said to them, “take it
easy, I only said that to test your firmness upon your religion”. Are you strict upon
your religion such that you do not want anyone to abandon it or are you lenient?”

As for Heraclius, then there is no doubt that he knew this (prophecy of Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him) from the Gospel that was in his hand. So, it is
possible it could have been a combination of both. (Meaning what he read in the
Gospel and what he heard from Abu Sufyan)