Who confirmed the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)?

The correct answer is Waraqa Ibn Nawfal.

The confirmation of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) by Waraqa Ibn Nawfal is one of the most pivotal moments in Islamic history. It occurred immediately following the first revelation in the Cave of Hira in 610 AD. After experiencing the overwhelming presence of the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) and receiving the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq, the Prophet (PBUH) returned to his home in a state of profound physical and emotional distress. It was his wife, Hazrat Khadija (RA), who provided the initial comfort and then took the crucial step of consulting her cousin, Waraqa, to help interpret the extraordinary event.

The Scholar of the Scriptures

Waraqa Ibn Nawfal was a unique figure in the Meccan landscape. At a time when most of the Quraysh were polytheists, Waraqa was a "Hanif"—one who had rejected idol worship in favor of monotheism. He was an elderly man, nearing the end of his life and suffering from blindness, yet his mind was sharp and filled with the knowledge of the Injil (Gospel) and the Tawrat (Torah). He was a scholar of the Hebrew and Syriac languages, which allowed him to study the ancient prophecies regarding the coming of a final messenger in the desert of Arabia.

The Meeting of Confirmation

When Hazrat Khadija (RA) brought Muhammad (PBUH) to Waraqa, the Prophet (PBUH) described exactly what he had seen and heard in the cave. Upon hearing the details, Waraqa did not hesitate. He recognized the description of the celestial being immediately. He famously exclaimed, "This is the same Namus (the Keeper of Secrets, referring to Angel Gabriel) whom Allah sent to Musa (Moses)!"

By invoking the name of Prophet Musa (AS), Waraqa was providing a theological framework for what had happened. He was confirming that Muhammad (PBUH) was not experiencing a dream or a hallucination, but was indeed the latest in the long line of messengers sent by the Creator. This was the first external confirmation of the Prophet's (PBUH) mission, coming from a man who represented the scholarly tradition of the People of the Book.

The Prediction of Sacrifice

Waraqa’s confirmation went beyond mere identification; it included a stark warning about the future. He told the Prophet (PBUH), "I wish I were young and could be alive when your people will drive you out." This statement deeply surprised the Prophet (PBUH), who was well-loved and respected in Mecca as Al-Amin (The Trustworthy). He asked, "Will they really drive me out?"

Waraqa replied that no man had ever brought what Muhammad (PBUH) brought without being met with hostility. This was a prophetic insight into the years of persecution and the eventual Hijrat (Migration) to Medina that would follow. Waraqa expressed his heartfelt desire to support the Prophet (PBUH) with all his strength, but he passed away shortly after this encounter, during the period known as the Fatrah al-Wahy (the pause in revelation).

Historical and Theological Impact

The role of Waraqa Ibn Nawfal is highly significant in Islamic scholarship because it establishes the continuity of divine messages. His testimony served as a source of immense strength for both the Prophet (PBUH) and Hazrat Khadija (RA) during those first uncertain days. It proved that the arrival of Islam was not a random event but a fulfillment of ancient divine promises.

Furthermore, the fact that a respected monotheistic scholar recognized the truth of the Prophet’s (PBUH) experience before anyone else highlights the importance of knowledge and the pursuit of truth. Waraqa’s legacy remains a testament to the fact that those who truly understood the previous scriptures were waiting for the light of Islam to appear. His brief but powerful involvement in the Seerah (biography of the Prophet) provides the historical validation that helped anchor the early Muslim community's faith.