Waraqah son of Nawfal was related to Khadeejah daughter of Khuwaylid, the wife of Prophet Muhammad. Waraqah was a respected man of his time and a well-known Christian scholar. He was also one of those who used to translate Christian holy texts into Arabic. Khadeejah brought the Prophet to Waraqah after the Prophet received his first revelation in the cave of ‘Hiraa.
The revelation had left the Prophet shaken and terrified. He had rushed home to his wife, overwhelmed by the experience. Khadeejah calmed him down and took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal. Khadeejah said:
"O son of my uncle, listen to what your nephew says"
After the Prophet related the whole incident to him, Waraqah said:
“This is the Namoos (Gabriel = the Holy Spirit) that used to come to Moses.”
Waraqah told the Prophet of the calamities that he would face from the first day of his Prophethood.
He said: “Would that I were a young man, would that I would be alive when your people expel you.”
The Messenger of God said: “Will they expel me?”
He said: “Yes. No man has ever come with that which you have brought but he was faced with hostility. If I live to see that day, I will support you strongly…”
Waraqah was a learned man. He was a believer in Jesus and a monotheist.
He understood the features of the revelation in the account that the Prophet gave him. Furthermore, Waraqah fully and sincerely supported Muhammad (pbuh) even though he had not yet become a prophet. He believed that Muhammad was the last awaited prophet.
Waraqah encouraged Muhammad (pbuh) to be patient if his people persecuted him and expelled him. He also encouraged him to continue his call, without ever doubting that God The Almighty would protect him from the polytheists of the Quraysh.
When the Prophet's Companions were not certain whether Waraqah was to be regarded as a believer, the Prophet said:
“Do not revile Waraqah, for I saw that he will be in the Garden (Paradise), or will have two gardens.”
Peace be upon those who acknowledge the truth from their Lord.
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