Waraqah ibn Nawfal | |
|---|---|
| Died | 610 CE |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (cousin) |
| Family | Banu Asad (Quraysh) |
Waraqah ibn Nawfal ibn Asad ibn Abd-al-Uzza ibn Qusayy Al-Qurashi (Arabic ورقه بن نوفل بن أسد بن عبد العزّى بن قصي القرشي) was a Christian Arabian ascetic who was the paternal first cousin of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of Muhammad. He was considered to be a hanif, who practised the pure form of monotheism in pre-Islamic Arabia. Waraqah died shortly after Muhammad is said to have received his first revelation in 610 CE.[1]
Waraqah and Khadija were also cousins of Muhammad: their paternal grandfather Asad ibn Abd-al-Uzza was Muhammad's matrilineal great-great-grandfather.[2] By another reckoning, Waraqah was Muhammad's third cousin: Asad ibn Abd-al-Uzza was a grandson of Muhammad's patrilineal great-great-great-grandfather Qusai ibn Kilab. Waraqah was the son of a man called Nawfal and his consort—Hind, daughter of Abī Kat̲h̲īr. Waraqah was proposed to marry Khadija, but the marriage never took place.[3]
Waraqah is revered in Islamic tradition for being one of the first hanifs to believe in the prophecy of Muhammad.[4]
'Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly.' But after a few days Waraqah died[...]