Waraqah ibn Nawfal:

The Christian Scholar Who Recognized Muhammad’s Prophethood

Introduction: A Pivotal Yet Overlooked Figure in Early Islam

In the early history of Islam, many notable figures played crucial roles in supporting, guiding, and protecting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during the formative years of his mission. Among these figures, Waraqah ibn Nawfal stands out as a unique and critical figure. A Christian scholar with deep knowledge of the Judeo-Christian scriptures, Waraqah is best known for his encounter with Muhammad after the Prophet's first experience of divine revelation. His recognition of Muhammad’s prophetic experience is a foundational moment in Islamic history, providing both reassurance and validation at a time of great uncertainty.

This article will explore the life, faith, and influence of Waraqah ibn Nawfal, his critical encounter with Muhammad, and how his recognition of Muhammad’s experience is understood in the Islamic tradition.

1. Who Was Waraqah ibn Nawfal?

Full Name: Waraqah ibn Nawfal ibn Asad ibn Abd al-Uzza
Tribe: A member of the Quraysh tribe, the same tribe as Muhammad.
Family Connection: Waraqah was the cousin of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Muhammad’s first wife.
Religious Affiliation: A Christian who was well-versed in the Judeo-Christian scriptures, including the Torah and the Gospel.
Occupation: Known as a learned man, a scribe, and a scholar of religious texts. He was one of the “Hanifs” — a group of pre-Islamic monotheists who rejected idolatry and adhered to the worship of one God.

Waraqah’s Reputation Among the Quraysh

Waraqah was respected among his people for his wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures.
As a Christian, he was part of a minority in Mecca, a city dominated by pagan idolatry.
His status as a scholar of the sacred texts made him a figure of authority on religious matters.

2. The Pivotal Encounter: Waraqah, Khadijah, and Muhammad’s First Revelation

One of the most critical moments in early Islamic history is the encounter between Muhammad, Khadijah, and Waraqah following Muhammad’s first experience of divine revelation in the Cave of Hira.

A. The First Revelation in the Cave of Hira

Muhammad ﷺ, who was known for his honesty and integrity, would often retreat to the Cave of Hira to meditate and reflect.
During one such retreat, he experienced a powerful and overwhelming encounter with an angel who commanded him to “Recite!” (Iqra).
Initially fearful and confused, Muhammad returned home to Khadijah, trembling and worried about what he had experienced.

B. Khadijah Takes Muhammad to Waraqah

Recognizing the seriousness of Muhammad’s experience, Khadijah took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, knowing his expertise in religious matters.
Muhammad described the encounter in the cave, explaining his fear and confusion.
Waraqah listened attentively and immediately recognized the nature of Muhammad’s experience.

C. Waraqah’s Recognition of Prophethood

Waraqah declared that the being who appeared to Muhammad was “the Namus”, a term referring to the divine messenger (often understood as Gabriel), who had appeared to Moses.
He said to Muhammad:

“This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.”
Muhammad, surprised, asked:

“Will they really drive me out?”
Waraqah replied:

“Yes, never has a man brought something similar to what you have brought except that he was met with hostility.”

D. Waraqah’s Prophetic Declaration

Waraqah recognized Muhammad as a true prophet, connecting his experience to the tradition of previous prophets.
He warned Muhammad of the trials and opposition he would face as a messenger of God.
Shortly after this encounter, Waraqah passed away, leaving Muhammad without this early source of spiritual support.

3. The Significance of Waraqah’s Recognition

Waraqah’s recognition of Muhammad’s prophetic experience is of immense importance in Islamic history for several reasons:

A. Early Validation of Prophethood

Waraqah’s recognition provided immediate reassurance to Muhammad, who was initially overwhelmed by his encounter in the cave.
As a respected scholar of the Judeo-Christian scriptures, Waraqah’s recognition of the experience as divine carried significant weight.

B. Connection to Previous Revelation

Waraqah’s identification of the angel as Gabriel (the same angel who brought revelation to Moses) firmly connected Muhammad’s experience to the tradition of previous prophets.
This established a clear continuity between the teachings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — all viewed in Islamic theology as part of the same divine message.

C. A Forewarning of Future Trials

Waraqah’s warning that Muhammad would face hostility mirrored the experiences of earlier prophets who were also met with opposition.
This served as a reminder to Muhammad of the challenges that come with the responsibility of prophethood.

4. Waraqah’s Legacy in Islamic Tradition

Waraqah ibn Nawfal is remembered with respect in Islamic history as an early supporter of Muhammad’s mission, even though he passed away before Muhammad publicly declared his prophethood.
Although he did not live to witness the spread of Islam, his recognition of Muhammad’s experience provided crucial support at a critical moment.
His recognition is recorded in the most authentic hadith collections, including Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, underscoring its significance in the early history of Islam.

5. Addressing Misconceptions About Waraqah

Some critics of Islam have attempted to portray Waraqah as the source of Muhammad’s religious knowledge or as an influence behind the Quran. However, this narrative is strongly refuted within the Islamic tradition:

Waraqah recognized Muhammad’s experience as divine, but he did not teach Muhammad.
His declaration affirmed Muhammad’s prophethood based on his knowledge of previous revelations, but he did not provide Muhammad with religious teachings.
Muhammad’s knowledge of the Judeo-Christian tradition is understood in Islam to be a result of divine revelation (Wahy), not from any human source.

Islamic Scholars on Waraqah’s Role

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, a leading Islamic scholar, stated that Waraqah’s recognition was a testimony to Muhammad’s prophethood and a confirmation of his divine mission.
Imam Nawawi emphasized that Waraqah’s knowledge of the previous scriptures allowed him to recognize the signs of true prophecy in Muhammad.

6. Conclusion: Waraqah ibn Nawfal — The Scholar Who Recognized the Truth

Waraqah ibn Nawfal is a figure of great significance in the early history of Islam, a man whose knowledge of the scriptures enabled him to immediately recognize the authenticity of Muhammad’s prophetic experience. His recognition provided Muhammad with reassurance at a time of great uncertainty and established a clear connection between the final revelation of Islam and the tradition of previous prophets.

Waraqah’s recognition is a testament to the continuity of divine guidance from the time of Moses and Jesus to the final message of Islam.
His story demonstrates that the early message of Islam was not alien or isolated but was deeply connected to the tradition of monotheism.
Waraqah ibn Nawfal remains a respected figure in Islamic history, an early witness to the truth of Muhammad’s prophethood.

Exposing Islam

Monday, May 19, 2025