Paraclete in Different Theologies
The following is an in-depth analysis of the claim that "Ahmad" (أحمد) is the Arabic translation of "Parakletos" in John 14:16, examined from:
(1) The hermeneutics of the Greek text, (2) Arabic exegesis, and (3) Semitic linguistic context.
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I. Analysis of John 14:16 in the Original Language
A. Greek (Original New Testament)
- "Parakletos" (παράκλητος):
- Literal meaning: "One called to stand beside" (from para = beside, kalein = to call).
- Theological meaning:
- In John 14:16: Comforter/Helper/Advocate (RSV: "Helper," KJV: "Comforter").
- In 1 John 2:1: Jesus as "Parakletos" (Advocate before the Father).
B. Syriac/Aramaic Version (Peshitta)
- "Parakletos" is translated as "Menahmana" (ܡܢܚܡܢܐ):
- Means "Comforter" (cognate with Hebrew "Naḥam" = to comfort).
- No linguistic connection to "Ahmad."
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II. The Claim that "Ahmad" Translates "Parakletos"
A. Source of the Claim
- Derived from Quran 61:6:
> "And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said: 'O Children of Israel… I bring you good news of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.'"
- Issue: Does "Ahmad" refer to "Parakletos" in the Gospel of John?
B. Linguistic Problems
1. Root Word Differences:
- Greek "Parakletos" (παράκλητος) vs. Arabic "Ahmad" (أحمد).
- No etymological link between the two.
2. Phonetic Error:
- The claim that "Parakletos" could be read as "Periklytos" (the renowned one) is unsupported by ancient Greek manuscripts.
- The oldest Greek manuscripts (Codex Sinaiticus/Vaticanus) consistently write "Parakletos."
3. Meaning of "Ahmad" in Arabic:
- The superlative form of "ḥamida" (to praise) = "The Most Praised."
- Unrelated to the concept of "comforter" or "advocate."
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III. Hermeneutics and Exegesis
A. Context of John 14:16
- Jesus’ promise of the Spirit of Truth:
> "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Parakletos… the Spirit of Truth." (John 14:16-17).
- In Christian theology: Refers to the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-14), not a human figure.
B. Context of Quran 61:6
- Prophecy about Prophet Muhammad:
- "Ahmad" here is an alternative name for the Prophet (Quran 33:40).
- No indication that it is a translation of "Parakletos."
C. Semitic Language Perspective
- Root "Ḥ-M-D" (Arabic) vs. "Ḥ-M-D" (Hebrew):
- Arabic: "Ahmad" = praise.
- Hebrew: "Ḥamad" = desire (unrelated).
- No Jewish/Christian tradition links "Parakletos" to the root "Ḥ-M-D."
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IV. Comparative Concept Table
| Aspect | Parakletos (John 14:16) | Ahmad (Quran 61:6) |
|----------------|----------------------------|----------------------|
| Original Language | Greek (παράκλητος) | Arabic (أحمد) |
| Meaning | Comforter/Advocate | The Most Praised |
| Function | Holy Spirit (John 16:7) | Human Prophet |
| Root Word | Kalein (to call) | Ḥamida (to praise) |
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V. Conclusion
1. "Ahmad" is not a translation of "Parakletos":
- The two come from different linguistic roots with no connection.
- No ancient manuscripts (Greek/Syriac/Hebrew) support this claim.
2. Fundamental theological difference:
- Parakletos: The Holy Spirit in Christianity.
- Ahmad: The name of Prophet Muhammad in Islam.
3. This claim arises from:
- Medieval apologetic efforts.
- Misunderstanding Greek-Arabic phonetics.
Final Note:
- If "Ahmad" were referenced in the Gospel, there should be early Christian manuscript evidence (none exists).
- The Quran itself does not state that "Ahmad" is a translation of "Parakletos."
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Reconstruction of "Parakletos" in Arabic During the Time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Its Evolution in Modern Arabic Translations
I. Reconstruction of "Parakletos" in 6th-Century Arabic
A. Background
- Parakletos (παράκλητος) is a Greek word with no direct equivalent in classical Arabic.
- Pre-Islamic Arab Christian communities (e.g., in Najran/Hira) likely knew the term through:
- Syriac/Aramaic: "Menahmana" (ܡܢܚܡܢܐ) = "Comforter."
- Ghassanid Arabic: Christian Arabic dialect influenced by Greek/Syriac.
B. Possible Pre-Islamic Arabic Forms
1. Phonetic Transliteration:
- Parakletos → فَرَقْلِيط (Faraqlīṭ) or بَرَقْلِيط (Baraqlīṭ).
- Example:
- In 8th-century Christian Arabic manuscripts, the word appears as "فارقليط" (Faraqlit).
- Without vowels: فرقليط (F-R-Q-L-Y-Ṭ).
2. Meaning-Based Translation:
- If translated (not transliterated), possible renderings:
- "Al-Mu’azzi" (المعزي) = "Comforter" (from root ‘-Z-Y).
- "An-Nasir" (النصير) = "Helper" (similar to Parakletos).
C. Historical Evidence
- The oldest Christian Arabic manuscripts (9th century) use transliteration "Faraqlit," not a meaning-based translation.
- No evidence suggests Meccan/Medinan Arabs knew this term before Islam.
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II. "Parakletos" in Modern Arabic Translations
A. Standard Transliteration
- "البارقليط" (Al-Bāraqlīṭ):
- Used in Al-Kitab Al-Muqaddas (The Holy Bible) published by the Middle East Bible Society.
- Example (John 14:16):
> "وَأَنَا أَطْلُبُ مِنَ الآبِ فَيُعْطِيكُمْ بَارَقْلِيطاً آخَرَ"
B. Meaning-Based Translations
1. "المعزي" (Al-Mu’azzī):
- Used by Syriac Orthodox/Coptic Churches.
- Derived from the root ‘-Z-Y (to comfort).
2. "المعين" (Al-Mu’īn):
- Meaning: "Helper."
- Found in some Protestant translations.
3. "المحامي" (Al-Muḥāmī):
- Meaning: "Advocate" (legal context).
C. Version Comparison
| Version | Term Used | Type |
|--------------------|------------------|--------------------|
| Catholic Translation | البارقليط | Transliteration |
| Orthodox Translation | المعزي | Meaning-based |
| Protestant Translation | المعين | Meaning-based |
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III. Hermeneutical Analysis
A. Why "Ahmad" Is Not a Valid Translation
1. Conceptual Difference:
- Parakletos = Function (comforter/advocate).
- Ahmad = Proper name (not a function).
2. Christian Translation Tradition:
- Always preserves transliteration or meaning-based translation, never substitutes a name.
B. Islamic Claim About "Ahmad"
- Quran 61:6 refers to a prophecy about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, not a translation of Parakletos.
- No ancient Gospel manuscripts (Greek/Syriac/Hebrew) use "Ahmad" for Parakletos.
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IV. Word Evolution Visualization
Ancient Greek
Παράκλητος → Early Arabic Transliteration: فَرَقْلِيط → Modern Arabic: البارقليط
Translation Process:
- If meaning-based:
"Comforter" → المعزي
"Helper" → النصير
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V. Conclusion
1. During Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ Era:
- The term Parakletos was unknown in Mecca/Medina.
- If known, it would have been transliterated as "Faraqlit" or translated as "Al-Mu’azzi."
2. In Modern Translations:
- Transliteration: البارقليط (Al-Baraqlit).
- Meaning-based: المعزي (Comforter).
3. "Ahmad" is not a translation of "Parakletos":
- This claim is an Islamic interpretation of Quran 61:6, not a linguistic fact.
Critical Note:
- The oldest Arabic Bible manuscripts (8th/9th century) already use "Faraqlit," proving no connection to "Ahmad."
- The term "Al-Mu’azzi" aligns closer with the original meaning
of Parakletos in John 14:16.
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