Is Muhammad a major prophet

Answer 1

Answer 1

Yes. He is the central and capstone prophet of Islam. He is also very important to Baha'i and Druze.

Answer 2

"Muhammad" was considered to be a major prophet in his day, however evidence would suggest this had more to do with his guidance, than divine destiny!

According to islamic sources, the Qur'an was introduced to 'Muhammad' by the parental cousin( 'Waraka ibn Nawfal' ), of his first wife 'Khadijah'.

Waraka was a Roman Catholic Ebionite Priest living in Mecca, and one who had made detailed studies of the Christian Gospels and the Old Testament scriptures.

Muslim tradition maintains that Waraka was one of the believers in the Age of Ignorance, meaning that he was a believer before the prophecy of Muhammad. Waraka would frequently contemplate and pray at the Kaaba and began to read the Biblical texts in their original language and even learned to read Hebrew.

As Muhammad grew in age, Waraka's influence over him and knowledge of the sacred scriptures increased, which may help to explain the similarity between the Qur'an and the Holy Bible. Several years later, during Muhammad's reported first revelation (which is understood to be Q. XCVI: 1-5), Waraka recognized his call to prophecy as authentic and tradition recounts Waraka saying: "There has come to him the greatest Law that came to Moses; surely he is the prophet of this people".

Waraka, upon accepting Muhammad's prophecy, remained a Christian and, in later accounts, was counted among Muhammad's companions.

Muhammad is later reported to have said of Waraka: "Do not slander Waraka ibn Nawfal, for I have seen that he will have one or two gardens in Paradise."

Sources:

Encyclopedia of Islam, Online ed., Waraka b. Nawfal

Ibn Hisham, The Life of Muhammad, 3rd ed., vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 73.

Reading Islam.com What Really Happened Up There?

Saheeh al-Jaami as-Sagheer, 6/1534, no. 7197