Objection: Islamic apologists argue that Jesus' promise of the "Comforter" (or "Counsellor") is a prophecy of Muhammad. They often claim the original Greek word was Periklutos ("the praised one," matching Muhammad's name) rather than Parakletos.

Christian Defense: Jesus was unequivocally prophesying the coming of the Holy Spirit, not Muhammad. This is demonstrated by the text itself:

• Manuscript Evidence: There is no manuscript evidence for the word Periklutos. The Greek word is Parakletos (Comforter/Advocate), the exact title used for Jesus Himself in 1 John 2:1. Thus, Jesus promised "another" Comforter of the same spiritual nature.
• Given to the Disciples: Jesus promised the Comforter to His immediate disciples ("He will give you"). He also said the Comforter would be with them "forever," whereas Muhammad died in 632 AD and is buried in Medina.
• A Spiritual Entity: Jesus describes the Comforter as the "Spirit of truth" whom the world cannot receive or see. Furthermore, Jesus said, "You know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you" (John 14:17). Muhammad was a mortal man, did not dwell with the apostles, and could not dwell "in" them.
• Glorifying Jesus: The Comforter's purpose is to glorify Jesus (John 16:14), bear witness to Him, and remind the disciples of Jesus' words. Muhammad drew attention to himself and contradicted Jesus' core teachings.
• Fulfilled at Pentecost: Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for this promise. The Holy Spirit visibly and powerfully descended upon them ten days after the Ascension (Acts 2), completely fulfilling this prophecy.

John 14:16—Are Muslims right in referring this promise of the coming “helper” to Mohammed?

Problem: Muslim scholars see in this reference of the promised “Helper” (Gk., parakletos) a prediction of Mohammed, because the Quran (Surah 61:6) refers to Mohammed as “Ahmad” (periclytos) which they take to be the correct rendering of “parakletos.”

Solution: There are absolutely no grounds for concluding the “Helper” (parakletos) Jesus mentioned here is Mohammed. First of all, of the 5,366 Greek manuscripts of the NT, not a single manuscript contains the word periclytos (“praised one”), as the Muslims claim it should read. Second, Jesus clearly identifies the “Helper” as the Holy Spirit, not Mohammed. Jesus referred to “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send” (John 14:26). Third, the “Helper” was given to His disciples (“you,” v. 16), but Mohammed was not. Fourth, the “Helper” was to abide with them “forever” (v. 16), but Mohammed has been dead for 13 centuries! Fifth, Jesus said to the disciples, “You know Him [the Helper]” (v. 17), but they did not know Mohammed. He wasn’t even born for 6 more centuries. Sixth, Jesus told His apostles, the Helper will be “in you” (v.17). In no sense was Mohammed “in” Jesus’ apostles. Seventh, our Lord affirmed the Helper would be sent “In My [Jesus’] name” (John 14:26). But no Muslim believes Mohammed was sent by Jesus in His name. Eighth, the Helper Jesus would send would not “speak on His own authority” (John 16:13), whereas Mohammed constantly testifies to himself in the Quran (cf. Surah 33:40). Ninth, the Helper would “glorify” Jesus (John 16:14), but Mohammed claims to supersede Jesus, being a later prophet. Finally, Jesus asserted that the Helper would come in “not many days” (Acts 1:5), whereas Mohammed did not come for 600 years.