Contextual Inclusivism in Early Islam: Re-Examining the Prophet Muḥammad’s Encounters with Waraqah Ibn Nawfal and Al-Najāshī

This article investigates the contested religious identities of Waraqah ibn Nawfal and the Negus of Abyssinia (Arabic: al-Najāshī) and argues that the Prophet Muḥammad’s engagement with both figures reflects a form of contextual inclusivism that transcends rigid confessional boundaries. Methodologically, the study combines hadith criticism, historical analysis, and contemporary theological reflection within the framework of contextual inclusive theology to reassess the evidentiary value and interpretive significance of the relevant sources. The analysis suggests that Waraqah was a Christian who recognised Muḥammad’s prophethood but did not formally join the emerging Muslim community, as no reliable evidence demonstrates his conversion to Islam. By contrast, the religious identity of al-Najāshī remains historically inconclusive due to the ambiguity and internal tensions of the available evidence. We argue that the Prophet’s engagement with both figures reveals a contextually grounded form of inclusivism in which moral integrity, religious sincerity, and recognition of truth carry significance beyond formal confessional affiliation. In doing so, the article offers a more nuanced understanding of religious identity and interreligious relations in early Islam.