Bahira (Arabic: بَحِيرَىٰ, Classical Syriac: ܒܚܝܪܐ) is the name in Islamic tradition of a Christian monk who is said to have foretold Muhammad's prophethood when they met while Muhammad was accompanying his uncle Abu Talib on a trading trip.[1][2] There are several versions of the story, with elements that contradict each other.[3] All accounts of Bahira and his meeting with Muhammad have been deemed fictitious by modern historians[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] as well as by some medieval Muslim scholars, such as al-Dhahabi.

He is widely regarded as one of the“four eminent monks” of the late Qing and early Republican periods, and, likehis three companions on this list, he stands for a particular aspect of Buddhistlife. Taixu is lionized as the preeminent exponent of modernization and reform.Hongyi (弘一, 1880–1942) epitomizes vinaya study and monastic reform.Xuyun (虛雲, 1840–1959) stands for meditation and the Chan School. Finally,Yinguang (印光, 1861–1940) appears as the driving force behind the Pure Landrevival.

Medieval monk synd