Refuting claim that Waraqah ibn Nawfal is source of Quran
Fatwa No: 317437

Question

Assalaamu alaykum. Some say that the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, got the info from the Quran from Waraqah, I know that this is stupid, but they do not listen if you say that it is stupid. How can we refute this in a logical way? May Allaah reward you.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

This misconception is too weak to be given any consideration. Whoever raises such a claim is required to substantiate his claim with authentic proofs. If such illusions can serve as evidence of their claim without reliance on authentic texts, then it would be enough to bring forth mere thoughts that cross one's mind as proofs to substantiate the claim of the inauthenticity of any authentic scientific fact about which the person harbors doubts. Verily, this cannot be accepted by any wise person.

Az-Zarqaani has refuted this misconception in his book Manaahil Al-ʻIrfaan fi ʻUloom Al-Quran in detail. He wrote:

The third misconception and its refutation: they claim that Waraqah ibn Nawfal was the teacher of the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, at whose hands he, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, studied because he was a relative of his wife Khadeejah. They wish to deceive their listeners and readers into believing that the source of the Quran was that senior Christian (Waraqah ibn Nawfal) who mastered Hebrew and could read any text in Hebrew. This false allegation can be refuted by the very argument by which we refuted the previous one. It is established that those who raise such a false claim have no proofs to substantiate their claim and illusions with which they are deceiving people. Rather, authentic narrations are proof against them. It has been authentically established that Khadeejah took the Prophet to Waraqah when the Prophet received the divine revelation for the first time. When the Prophet told him what had happened to him, Waraqah said, 'This is the Namoos (i.e., the Angel who is entrusted with the Divine messages) that Allaah had sent to Moosa (Moses ). I wish I were younger and stronger. I wish I could live to the time when your people will drive you out.' The authentic traditions in this regard did not mention that Waraqah had preached the Prophet or taught him any beliefs or legislations or that the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, frequented his house and studied at his hands as they alleged. Any fair-minded impartial person who listens to the words of Waraqah can easily deduce that he wished he could live longer and become the student and faithful defender of the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, to support and defend him at the time of affliction. However, some people stubbornly held fast to their false claim and reversed the facts to claim that Waraqah was the teacher from whom the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, learned his religion and the Quran. How misguided and sinful is their Judgment!” [End of quote]

For more benefit, please refer to fataawa 196005 and 298888.

Allaah knows best.

Related Fatwa