There is a mention of the valley of Baca in the Old Testament. The old translators of the
Bible gave this word the meaning of 'a valley of weeping', but better sense seems to have
prevailed later on. According to more recent of the Biblical scholars, the word 'signifies
rather any valley lacking water, and 'the Psalmist apparently has in mind a -particular valley
whose natural condition led him to adopt that name. Now, this waterless valley, which can
easily be identified with the valley of Makkah, has been thus mentioned in the Book of
Psalms.
"Blessed art they that dwell in Your house; they will still be praising thee Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; In whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well." [Psalm 84:4-6]The birth of the Prophet Muhammed (r) in the city of Makkah was really an answer to the
prayer sent up by Abraham and Ishmael while laying the foundation of Ka'ba.They had
beseeched God in these words:
"Our Lord! And raise up unto them an Messenger from among them, who shall recite
unto them Your revelations, and shall teach them the Book and wisdom, and shall
cleanse them. Verily You! You art the Mighty, the Wise." [Qur'aan 2:129]A standing norm of God Almighty is that He always answers the prayers of those who are
pious and devoted and pure in heart. The Messengers of God occupy, without doubt, a
higher place than the most devout and the godliest believers. All the earlier scriptures and
prophecies bear witness to this fact. Even the Old Testament testifies that the supplication
of Abraham in regard to Ishmael met the approval of the Lord. The Book of Genesis says:
"And as for Ish'ma-el, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make
him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will
make him a great nation." (Gen. 17:20)That is why the Prophet (r) is reported to have said:
"I am the (result of the) prayer of Abraham and prophecy of Jesus". (Musnad Imam
Ahmad)The Old Testament still contains, notwithstanding its numerous recensions and altera-
tions, the evidence that this prayer of Abraham was answered by God. Mark the very clear
reference in the Book of Deuteronomy to the advent of a Prophet.
"The Lord Your God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of Your
brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken." (Deut. 18:15)