A Christian Priest?

format_quote Originally Posted by Eddy

Yes, he was a Christian Priest.
The beginning of Islam happened in a meeting between Muhammad and this Priest.
The story goes that Prophet Muhammad was puzzled and confused after the episodes occurred in the caves near Meka.
This Christian Priest convinced Muhammad that Jibril was the one communicating with him and the messages were sent by Yahweh (the God of the Christian faith).
Today we call the god of Islam Allah and this episode is mostly overlooked.
I often get surprised looks and "are you crazy" responses.
Why is this fact so overlooked?

Greetings Eddy,

Yes the Priest in question was the paternal cousin of The Prophet's (Peace be upon him) first Wife Khadija (Ra) and his name was Waraqah ibn Nawfal.

Waraqa had left the pagan faith of Mecca at the time in order to search for the Prophet Abraham (As) religion and returned as a Christian. The narrations concerning him are as follows: In Sahih al-Bukhari. Narrated 'Aisha(R): Volume 4, Book 55, Number 605:

"..The Prophet returned to Khadija while his heart was beating rapidly. She took him to Waraqa bin Naufal who was a Christian convert and used to read the Gospel in Arabic Waraqa asked (the Prophet), "What do you see?" When he told him, Waraqa 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 strongly."

The other hadîth is:

Narrated 'Aisha(R): Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3

Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "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." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "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 Waraqa died.

Waraqa was an old man and died shortly after Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had received the revelation of the Qur'an; as clearly can be read from the above Hadîth. While the revelation of the Qur'an continued for more than twenty years after the death of Waraqah bin Nawfal, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was receiving the revelation in different places and even while he was among his Companions. Also, he was answering direct questions raised later by the Jews in Madinah. In addition, the Jews and the disbelievers of Mecca would be very pleased if they knew for sure that there was a knowledgeable person who was teaching Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the Qur'an.

And finally Waraqa himself announced in all of the hadîths reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that he would have certainly supported Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) strongly if he lived long enough:

"Should I live till you receive the Divine Message, I will support you strongly."

"if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly."

Meaning that he would have certainly accepted the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as a Prophet and therefore accepted Islam and followed the religion of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

So thank you Eddy for highlighting this. I hope all Christians study the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the Qur'an and reflect over it with an open heart and also end up supporting and following the religion of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as the Christian Waraqah ibn Nawfal would have.