أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The First Revelation
The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) experienced true dreams that came to pass as clearly as daylight and developed a deep love for seclusion. He would spend extended periods in the cave of Hira, devoted to worship, returning home only to replenish his provisions. During one such retreat, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared and commanded him to read. The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him), unlettered, replied that he could not read. Jibreel embraced him tightly three times, each time repeating the command, until finally revealing the first verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq.
Al-Alaq — The Clot (96:1-3)
96:1
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ١
Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—
96:2
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ٢
created humans from a clinging clot.[1]
[1] ’Alaq, meaning the embryo resembles a leech.
96:3
ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ٣
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,
https://quran.com/96/1-3
Verses 1-3 are known to be the first ever revealed of the Quran. The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) was retreating at a cave in the outskirts of Mecca when the angel Gabriel appeared to him, squeezing him tightly and ordering him to read. Since The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) was unlettered, he responded, “I cannot read.” Ultimately, Gabriel taught him: “Read in the Name of your Lord …” Some scholars believe that this encounter is the fulfilment of Isaiah 29:12, which states, “Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I don’t know how to read.” (Quoted from the NIV)
Shaken by this experience, The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) returned home to his wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), who comforted him and took him to her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal. Waraqa confirmed the divine nature of the revelation, likening it to what was sent to previous prophets, and warned that The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) would face rejection by his people. After this, the initial period of revelation paused for a while before continuing.
The full account of the event:
Sahih al-Bukhari 3
Chapter 3: Chapter:, Book 1: Revelation
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3
Research — The Stages of Revelation
- Recorded in the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lauh al-Mahfuz)
- The Qur’an was recorded in the Preserved Tablet
- Descent to the Lowest Heaven
- On the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr)
- Gradual Revelation to The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him)
- From there, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) brought the Qur’an to The Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) in portions over 23 years, addressing the needs, circumstances, and questions of the early Muslim community.
Discussion
- What significance do you find in the fact that the first word revealed was ٱقْرَ “Iqra'” (Read/Recite)?
- The Qur’an was revealed gradually over 23 years rather than all at once. What wisdom might there be in this gradual revelation?
- How does understanding the historical context of revelation enhance our appreciation of the Qur’an?
بارك الله فيكم
(BarakAllah Feekum, May Allah bless you)