Did Jesus Really Predict Muhammad?

In the early 8th century, the Umayyad Caliphate stood as a colossus, its dominion stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to the borders of Central Asia, a testament to the meteoric rise of Islam. Amid this golden age, a remarkable figure emerged: Umar II, the “pious caliph,” revered for his justice, austerity, and devotion to the faith.

In c.717, as the Islamic empire pressed against the walls of Constantinople, Umar II penned a letter to Leo III, the resolute Byzantine emperor, initiating a rare and enigmatic exchange between two titans of their time. This correspondence, preserved in fragmented accounts and later Christian chronicles, pulses with intrigue—was it a theological challenge, a diplomatic overture, or a call for the Christian emperor to embrace Islam?

Umar’s letter, written at the zenith of Umayyad power, reflects a faith still defining itself, yet bold in its claim to divine truth. What makes this text so compelling is its glimpse into a moment of direct dialogue between Islam and Christianity, two faiths locked in both rivalry and coexistence. Umar’s words, addressing a Christian ruler as an equal, hint at a complex understanding of religious boundaries, perhaps shaped by the multi-faith society of Damascus.

Why did Umar choose to write? What vision of Islam did he seek to project to a Byzantine audience? This video resurrects the voice of Umar II, offering a portal to the early Islamic world, where conquest and conviction intertwined. Journey to the early 8th century, a time of siege and ambition, and uncover the words that crossed an empire’s divide.

Join us in this exploration of Umar II, his letter to Leo III, and the dawn of Islamic-Christian dialogue.