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Song of Solomon 5:16 is about Islam ?

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 Misguided Claim About Song of Solomon 5:16  


Here is a detailed explanation comparing the root word Ḥ-M-D (ح-م-د) in Arabic and Ḥ-M-D (ח-מ-ד) in Biblical Hebrew, and why the two cannot be equated linguistically or theologically:  


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 1. Fundamental Differences in Root Words  

| Aspect | Arabic (Ḥ-M-D) | Hebrew (Ḥ-M-D) |  

|----------------|----------------|----------------|  

| Letter Count | 3 letters (triliteral) | 3 letters (triliteral) |  

| Primary Meaning | "To praise" (ḥamida) | "To desire/covet" (ḥamad) |  

| Connotation | Positive (praise) | Neutral/negative (lust/craving) |  

| Example Verse | QS 1:2: "Al-ḥamdu lillāh" (All praise is to God) | Ex 20:17: "Lo tachmod" (Do not covet) |  


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 2. Linguistic Analysis  

A. Arabic (ح-م-د)  

- Derived Words:  

  - Ḥamida (حَمِدَ) = "to praise"  

  - Maḥmūd (مَحْمُود) = "the praised one"  

  - Aḥmad (أَحْمَد) = "the most praiseworthy"  

- Function: Exclusively used for spiritual/worldly praise.  


B. Hebrew (ח-מ-ד)  

- Derived Words:  

  - Ḥamad (חָמַד) = "to desire/covet" (often for forbidden objects)  

  - Taḥmūd (תַּחְמוּד) = "lust/desire"  

  - Maḥmad (מַחְמָד) = "object of desire" (Song 5:16)  

- Function: Primarily denotes physical desire (e.g., Ex 20:17’s prohibition against coveting).  


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 3. Why They Cannot Be Equated?  

1. Semantic Differences  

   - Arabic: Ḥ-M-D always relates to praise.  

   - Hebrew: Ḥ-M-D relates to desire/coveting (often negative).  

   - Example:  

     - Arabic: "Al-ḥamd" = praise to God.  

     - Hebrew: "Lo tachmod" = prohibition against coveting another’s wife.  


2. Theological Context  

   - Islam: "Muhammad" (the praised one) is a sacred name.  

   - Judaism/Christianity: "Maḥmad" in Song of Solomon 5:16 is not a personal name but a metaphor for a beloved.  


3. Phonetic Inconsistencies  

   - Arabic ح (ḥa’) and Hebrew ח (ḥet) appear similar, but:  

     - Arabic "ḥamid" (حامد) = "one who praises."  

     - Hebrew "ḥomed" (חומד) = "one who desires."  


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 4. Example of Misinterpretation  

- Claim: "Muhammad was prophesied in Song of Solomon 5:16 (מַחֲמַדִּים/machamadim)."  

- Correction:  

  1. "Machamadim" is plural ("all that is desirable"), not a proper name.  

  2. The context is Solomon’s love poetry, not prophecy.  

  3. The root Ḥ-M-D here means "desire," not "praise."  


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 5. Name Comparison Table  

| Name | Arabic | Meaning | Hebrew Equivalent | Hebrew Meaning |  

|------------|--------|---------------|--------------------|----------------|  

| Muhammad | مُحَمَّد | "The Praised One" | - | - |  

| Ahmad | أَحْمَد | "The Most Praiseworthy" | - | - |  

| Machmad | - | - | מַחְמַד | "Object of desire" |  


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 6. Conclusion  

1. The Arabic Ḥ-M-D and Hebrew Ḥ-M-D roots are homographs (similar in writing) but unrelated in meaning.  

2. There is no etymological connection between "Muhammad" (Arabic) and "Machmad" (Hebrew).  

3. Claims of equivalence usually stem from:  

   - Misunderstanding Semitic root systems.  

   - Apologetic attempts to link Islam with Judaism/Christianity.  


Important Notes:  

- The name "Muhammad" originates purely from pre-Islamic Arab tradition.  

- The meaning "the praised one" does not exist in Hebrew usage of Ḥ-M-D.  


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 List of Names Derived from the Arabic Root Ḥ-M-D (ح-م-د)  

Below are names derived from the root Ḥ-M-D in Arabic, along with their meanings and examples of usage in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Arab society:  


 1. Male Names  

| Name | Form | Meaning | Example Usage |  

|------------|-----------|--------------------------|---------------|  

| Muhammad | مُحَمَّد | "The Praised One" (passive form) | Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Muhammad bin Umayyah (pre-Islamic). |  

| Ahmad | أَحْمَد | "The Most Praiseworthy" (superlative) | Quranic title for the Prophet (QS 61:6), common Arab name. |  

| Hamid | حَامِد | "One Who Praises" (active form) | Hamid bin Abdullah (Companion of the Prophet). |  

| Mahmud | مَحْمُود | "The Praised One" (synonym of Muhammad) | Mahmud al-Khurasani (historical figure). |  

| Hammād | حَمَّاد | "One Who Frequently Praises" (intensive form) | Hammād bin Salamah (hadith scholar). |  


 2. Female Names  

| Name | Form | Meaning | Example Usage |  

|------------|-----------|--------------------------|---------------|  

| Hamida | حَمِيدَة | "Woman Who Praises" | Hamida bint Zayd (a tabi'iyyah). |  

| Mahmuda | مَحْمُودَة| "Woman Who Is Praised" | Rare but linguistically valid. |  

| Hamdah | حَمْدَة | "Praise" (simple form) | Hamdah bint Al-Mu'ammil (female Companion). |  


 3. Names Combined with Allah’s Attributes  

| Name | Form | Meaning |  

|---------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|  

| Abdul-Hamid | عَبْدُ الحَمِيد | "Servant of the Praiseworthy" (one of Allah’s names). |  

| Abdul-Mahmud | عَبْدُ المَحْمُود| "Servant of the Praised One" (rarely used). |  


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 Comparison with Hebrew (Root Ḥ-M-D, ח-מ-ד)  

- Machmad (מַחְמַד) = "Desirable one" (Song 5:16), not a personal name.  

- Chemda (חֶמְדָּה) = "Beloved/desire" (rarely used as a name).  


Key Notes:  

- These Hebrew names do not influence Arabic names, as they come from different traditions.  

- Pre-Islamic Arabs did not borrow names from Hebrew/Babylonian for the Ḥ-M-D root.  


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 Interesting Facts  

1. The name "Ahmad" appears in Arabic Gospel translations as a rendering of "Parakletos" (John 14:16).  

2. The name "Muhammad" was used by at least four individuals in Mecca before the Prophet’s birth (Source: Kitab Al-Aghani by Al-Isfahani).  

3. Arabic has the most variations of Ḥ-M-D names compared to other Semitic languages.


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