Waraqa ibn Naufal

Khadija had told Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin ‘Abdu’l-'Uzza, who was her (paternal) cousin and a Christian who had studied the scriptures and was a knowledgeable. She narrated to him what her slave Maysara had told her that the monk had said and how he had seen the two angels shading him.

Waraqa said, ‘If this is true, Khadija, verily Muhammad is the prophet of this people. I knew that a prophet of this people was to be expected. His time has come,‘ or words to that effect. Waraqa was ﬁnding the time of waiting wearisome and used to say 'How long ?' Some lines of his on the theme are:

I persevered and was persistent in remembering

An anxiety which often evoked tears. And

Conﬁrmatory evidence ltept coming from Khadija.

Long have I had to wait, O Khadija,

In the vale of Mecca in spite of my hope

That I might see the outcome of thy words.

I could not bear that the words of the monk

You told me of should prove false:

That Muhammad should rule over us

Overcoming those who would oppose him.

And that a glorious light should appear in the land

To preserve men from disorders.

His enemies shall meet disaster

And his friends shall be victorious.

Would that I might be there then to see,

For I should be the ﬁrst of his supporters,

Ioining in that which Quraysh hate

However loud they shout in that Mecca of theirs.

I hope to ascend through him whom they all dislike

To the Lord of the Throne though they are cast down.

Is it folly not to disbelievc in Him

Who chose him Who raised the starry heights?

If they and I live, things will be done

Which will throw the unbelievers into confusion.

And if I die, ’tis but the fate of mortals

To suffer death and dissolution.