Waraqa ibn Nawfal's role was supportive, not foundational, in the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mission, as he recognized the revelation's authenticity rather than creating it.
Understanding Waraqa's Role
Waraqa ibn Nawfal was a respected figure known for his knowledge of Christian scriptures. When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation, he was understandably anxious and unsure of what had occurred. His wife Khadijah took him to Waraqa, who reassured him by identifying the angelic presence as the same that had come to Moses. This acknowledgment from Waraqa was based on his understanding of previous scriptures.Khadijah then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal 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 who had lost his eyesight. Khadijah said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Messenger described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same Namus (Gabriel) who was sent down to Moses."
Sahih al-Bukhari 3
What Critics Claim
Some critics suggest that Waraqa's recognition of the revelation implies he might have been the source of the Prophet's (PBUH) prophethood. They argue that Waraqa, with his knowledge of Christian and Jewish scriptures, could have influenced or even coached Muhammad (PBUH) in his mission.Waraqa's Limited Influence
The claim that Waraqa invented or coached the Prophet's mission overlooks several points. First, Waraqa passed away shortly after the first revelation, making it unlikely that he could have significantly influenced the Prophet's (PBUH) teachings. Furthermore, the Quran's content, style, and depth are unique and unlike any previous scripture, a point acknowledged even by those who do not accept Islam.Say, "If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants."
Quran 17:88