Who was the first major false claimant to Prophethood in Islam?

Explanation

Musailama Kazab was the most prominent among several false prophets who emerged during the final years of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) life. He claimed to share prophethood with the Prophet (PBUH) and even wrote a letter proposing to divide authority. After the Prophet's (PBUH) death, Musailama gathered a large following, leading Caliph Abu Bakr (R.A) to dispatch Khalid ibn al-Walid (R.A) to confront him. The decisive Battle of Yamama resulted in Musailama's death at the hands of Wahshi (R.A), the same person who had killed Hamza (R.A) at Uhud before embracing Islam.

Good to know

During the late Madinan period and after the Prophet's (PBUH) demise, several individuals falsely claimed prophethood, triggering the Ridda Wars (Apostasy Wars) under Caliph Abu Bakr (R.A). Other notable false claimants included Aswad Ansi in Yemen, Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid among the tribes of Najd, and Sajjah bint al-Harith among the Banu Tamim. Musailama Kazab was the most dangerous of them all due to his large army and widespread influence in the region of Yamama.

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