Waraqah bin Nawfal’s Christianity in Islam

Waraqah bin Nawfal, ibn Asad ibn Abd-al-Uzza, ibn Qusayy Al-Qurashi (d.610 CE) of the “Quraish” clan, was a well-known paternal first cousin (some say he was the uncle) of Khadija bint Khuwaylid (b.556–d.619?CE), the first wife of Prophet Muhammad.

He was considered to be a 'Hanif' (righteous person or true believer), who practiced a pure form of monotheism (belief that there is only one God) in the pre-Islamic Era.

He seemingly, was revered by both Khadija and Muhammad as an authority in spiritual matters. (Some say Muhammad was his disciple and protégé). When told of Muhammad's first revelation (which is understood to be Surah Al-'Alaq 96:1-5), Waraqah acknowledged his call to Prophecy as authentic, and was the first (or second) to Confirm his Prophethood

As did before him Sergius called Nestorius (or later Bahira "Bohaira"), a Nestorian (or possibly Nasoraean Mandaean) Syriac excommunicated Christian Monk from the tribe of Abd al-Qays, who, according to Islamic tradition, foretold to the adolescent Muhammad his future as a Prophet (Some also say Muhammad since was his disciple and protégé). As per early Muslim historians Ibn Hisham (d.833 CE); Ibn Sa'd al-Baghdadi (b.784–d.855 CE), and Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (b.839–d.923 CE), whose, versions differ in some details.

It is said that Waraqah, during the Pre-Islamic Period was a (Christian) pious Nazarene Monk (or Nestorian Priest); others have it that he was the Arrian or Ebionite lead Archpriest (Bishop) of Mecca (a Judaic Christian Gnostic sect ‘Deuteronomy 18:15’). Waraqah had knowledge of the previous scriptures, and used to write from the Gospel in Hebrew and recite in Arabic. He was an old man who gradually lost his eyesight.

Narration has it that according to Aisha bint Abu-Bakr ‘al-Siddiq’ (b.612–d.678 CE), the third and youngest of his Arab wives: (Hadith reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 605)

"Muhammad returned to Khadija while his heart was beating rapidly. She took him to Waraqah who was a Christian. He asked Muhammad, 'What do you see?' When he told him, Waraqah said, 'That is the same Angel whom Allah sent to the Prophet Moses. Should I live till you receive the Divine Message, I will support you unwaveringly.'"

(Variations are reported in Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3), and by Sa?d ibn Mu?adh (b.590–d.627 CE) Chief of the “Aws” tribe in Medina, and one of the prominent companions of Prophet Muhammad.

Waraqah died shortly after. While interrupted for a short while, Muhammad's revelations (c.609–632 CE) continued for more than twenty years thereafter his death…

Food for thought!