[Q 714] First Muslims vs. Early Recognizers

Question

I have a question regarding a point that is often mentioned when we are taught about the first people to accept Islam.

It is commonly mentioned that among the men, the first person to accept Islam was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه, among the women it was Sayyidah Khadijah رضي الله عنها, and among the children it was Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه.

However, while reading the biography (Seerah) of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, I came across the account of his journey to Sham when he was 25 years old for a business trip. It is mentioned that a monk named Nastura recognized signs of Prophethood in him ﷺ and that he believed in him ﷺ.

My question is: If this narration is understood in this way, would that not mean that the monk was actually the first person to believe in the Prophet ﷺ?

Furthermore, how should we understand the status of someone who believed in the Prophet ﷺ before the formal proclamation of his Prophethood? Would such a person be considered among the Ummah of Rasulullah ﷺ?

I would be very grateful if you could clarify this point, especially regarding how the scholars reconcile this narration with the statement that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه was the first man to accept Islam.

Answer

Firstly, understand that the classification of the very first individuals to embrace Islam by the esteemed scholars (such as Sayyidah Khadijah رضي الله عنها among women, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه among men, and Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه among children) pertains to the period after the Holy Prophet ﷺ formally announced his Prophethood (Bi’that).

And the entire period from the time Sayyiduna Isa عليه السلام was raised alive to the heavens until the Holy Prophet ﷺ announced his Prophethood is called the ‘period of Fatrat’. During this period, since no Prophet عليه السلام is formally present, anyone who upholds the belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid) is considered a believer. And their salvation in the hereafter depends on this.

During the first journey to Syria, the monk Bahira, and during the second journey, the monk Nastura, and Waraqah ibn Nawfal and other people recognizing the Holy Prophet ﷺ and expressing their desire for his help and support, is undoubtedly a matter of great fortune. However, their recognition was based on the irhasat (extraordinary events preceding prophethood) and the attributes of the Holy Prophet ﷺ mentioned in previous scriptures. And since the announcement of Prophethood had not yet occurred at that time, the Sharia of Muhammad ﷺ had not been enforced, nor had the formal invitation to Islam begun. Therefore, these monks recognizing the Holy Prophet ﷺ and affirming him is certainly a cause for their salvation. However, for them to be legally (shar’an) considered part of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, to accept the religion of Islam, or to attain the honor of companionship (Sahabiyyah), it was necessary to believe in him after the announcement of Prophethood. Therefore, while these individuals will be considered people of the book (i.e., believers based on their existing scriptures), they could not attain the honor of companionship (Sahabiyyah) or being part of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ. It is for this reason that the esteemed scholars have not counted them among the first to embrace Islam.

Answered by: Mubashir Madani (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 5th September 2026