“Here is a message about Arabia (or about the Arabs, according to the Mosuledition): In the thicket ofArabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans. Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the  landof Tema, bring some food for the fugitives for they flee from the swords – from the drawn sword, the battle-ready bow and the severity of battle. For this is what the sovereign master has told me: “Within exactly one year, all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end. Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left.” Indeed, the Lord God of Israel has spoken.” [Isaiah 21:13-17]

This text gives a clear indication to the Prophethood of Muhammad [peace be upon him] upon whom the Divine revelation was sent in the thicket of Arabia (i.e. in the CaveofHirâ’ in a rough mountain rather than in a plain valley). In reference to the emigration of Muhammad [peace be upon him], the news stated: “Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in thelandofTema, bring some food for the fugitives.” Tema is one of the vicinities of Madînah.

His saying “For they flee from the swords – from the drawn sword, the battle-ready bow and the severity of battle” is true of Muhammad [peace be upon him] against whom some men of the Quraysh gathered to kill. However, Allâh saved him from them and, for thirteen years, the people of Quraysh unremittingly engaged in war with him.

The text also refers to the battle of Badr which took place only a year after the emigration and points to the victory of the Messenger [peace be upon him] in it: “For this is what the sovereign master has told me: “Within exactly one year, all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end. Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left.”” This is exactly what happened. A year after the emigration, the Messenger of Allâh [peace be upon him] emerged victorious and ‘the tyrants of Kedar were ruined’ (or annihilated) according toLeidenedition 1848.

According toMosuledition 1875 andLeidenedition 1822, “Just a handful of archers, the fighting tyrants of Kedar’s offspring, will be left.”

Kedar’s offspring are the Arabs because Kedar is Ishmael’s son,. According to Genesis, “This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. These are the names of Ishmael’s sons according to their records: Nebaioth (i.e. Ishmael’s firstborn) and Kedar.” [Genesis 25:12-13]