Muhammad’s Struggle with Revelation

The Role of Doubt, Waraqa bin Naufal, and Surah 10:94

The story of Muhammad’s initial experiences with revelation is often presented as one of divine certainty and spiritual awakening. However, the historical accounts reveal a more nuanced narrative, where Muhammad struggled with doubt and sought confirmation from external sources to assure himself of the authenticity of the revelations he was receiving. One of the most significant episodes that sheds light on this struggle is his interaction with Waraqa bin Naufal, a Christian scholar, and how it aligns with certain Quranic verses that encourage seeking confirmation when in doubt.

This incident not only humanizes Muhammad's experience but also reflects a deep connection between his personal doubts and the Quranic instructions in Surah 10:94, a verse that is often interpreted as addressing Muhammad’s need for external validation when faced with uncertainty about the divine messages he received.

The Initial Revelation and Muhammad’s Doubts

The commencement of Muhammad’s prophethood, as narrated in Hadith literature, begins with a dramatic and overwhelming experience. He was alone in the cave of Hira when the angel Gabriel appeared to him, commanding him to "read" or "recite," an action which he could not initially understand or perform, as Muhammad was illiterate. The angel pressed him repeatedly, each time forcing him to respond until the message of revelation was delivered:

“Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (Quran 96:1-3)

Returning home in a state of fear and confusion, Muhammad sought comfort and reassurance from his wife Khadija. His immediate response to the experience was fear and uncertainty: “I fear that something may happen to me.” His emotional reaction to the revelation shows that, despite the divine nature of the experience, he was unsure whether the encounter was truly from God or if it might be a delusion.

This moment of doubt is significant, as it marks the beginning of a pattern in Muhammad's early prophetic career, where periods of intense fear and uncertainty were occasionally followed by periods of reassurance from both divine sources and human figures.

The Role of Waraqa bin Naufal

Muhammad’s search for confirmation during this moment of doubt leads him to Waraqa bin Naufal, a Christian scholar and cousin of Khadija. Waraqa was a well-respected figure who had knowledge of the scriptures of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). He had also become a Christian and was familiar with the stories of previous prophets, including Moses and Jesus.

Upon hearing Muhammad’s account of the angelic visitation, Waraqa immediately recognized the experience as being consistent with the visits of the angel Gabriel, who had also appeared to the prophets in earlier scriptures. He told Muhammad:

“This is the same Namus (Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses.”

Waraqa's affirmation helped alleviate Muhammad's fears, confirming that the encounter was indeed a divine one. However, Waraqa also predicted that Muhammad would face persecution and rejection from his own people, as had happened to other prophets in the past. This prophetic insight into the challenges Muhammad would face highlights the tension between the initial doubt and the eventual confirmation that he was on the right path.

Surah 10:94: Seeking Confirmation in Times of Doubt

Muhammad’s interaction with Waraqa bin Naufal is closely related to the Quranic guidance found in Surah 10:94, which says:

“If you are in doubt about what We have sent down to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. Certainly the truth has come to you from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.” (Quran 10:94)

This verse is often interpreted as directly addressing Muhammad. The message seems to be clear: if Muhammad ever doubted the authenticity of the revelation, he should seek confirmation from the People of the Book, those who are knowledgeable about the earlier scriptures. Given the context of the early revelation and Muhammad’s uncertainty about his experiences, Surah 10:94 appears to acknowledge the possibility of doubt and offers a solution—consult those who have knowledge of the scriptures and can help verify the truth of the message.

External Validation and Reassurance

The Quranic instruction in Surah 10:94 is validated by the episode with Waraqa. When Muhammad sought external validation from Waraqa, the Christian scholar confirmed the authenticity of the revelation, thereby providing Muhammad with the reassurance he needed. Without Waraqa’s support, Muhammad might have remained uncertain about his prophetic role. This episode is critical because it demonstrates the very human side of Muhammad’s experience as a prophet—his vulnerability to doubt and his need for external confirmation, despite his later role as the final messenger of God.

Additionally, the narrative shows that Muhammad’s doubt was not a sign of weakness or failure but rather a reflection of the natural human response to the overwhelming and unprecedented nature of his experiences. Seeking reassurance and confirmation in such a situation is consistent with human behavior, even for someone in Muhammad's unique position.

Theological Implications: Doubt and Reassurance in Prophethood

The episode also brings attention to a larger theological theme: the role of doubt and how it is addressed in the context of prophetic missions. The Quran, rather than discouraging doubt, offers a path for addressing it. Muhammad, like any human, faced moments of uncertainty. However, the divine guidance given in Surah 10:94 and the human support he received from figures like Waraqa show that doubt was not condemned but was acknowledged and addressed through proper channels of reassurance.

This is particularly significant because the concept of divine truth in Islam is not static. The process of confirming the truth of a message is presented as a dynamic interaction between the divine, the prophet, and the people around him. Muhammad's experience, therefore, does not merely highlight personal doubt but also illuminates the role of consultation and external validation in establishing the authenticity of divine revelation.

Conclusion: The Path from Doubt to Certainty

In conclusion, the story of Muhammad's early prophethood, his doubts, and his seeking confirmation from Waraqa bin Naufal provide a deeper understanding of his prophetic journey. These struggles with doubt are not only humanizing but also align with the Quranic teachings in Surah 10:94, which encourage seeking confirmation when in doubt. The episode serves as a reminder that even the most profound spiritual experiences can be accompanied by uncertainty, and it is through external validation, reassurance from knowledgeable sources, and divine guidance that doubt is addressed.

Muhammad’s struggle with doubt, coupled with the confirmation from Waraqa, lays the foundation for the development of his faith and mission. It emphasizes that the path from doubt to certainty, in the context of revelation, is not linear but requires support from both the divine and the human world. This narrative highlights the importance of seeking reassurance and confirmation, even for those tasked with delivering the ultimate truth to humanity.