Author: Maulana Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Al-Hamad (حفظہ اللہ)
In the Cave of Hira, the first revelation occurred. An angel appeared before the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Read!" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I am not a reader." The angel then grasped him firmly, squeezing him to the point of exhaustion, and released him with the command to "Read!" The Prophet (ﷺ) again responded, "I am not a reader." The angel repeated this act twice more, each time holding him tightly and releasing him with the command to "Read!" Finally, the angel recited:
"Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is Most Generous."
(Surah Al-Alaq, 96:1-3)
Upon returning home, his heart was trembling with awe. He went to Khadijah (رضی اللہ عنہا) and said, "Cover me, cover me." She wrapped him in a blanket, and once he felt more at ease, he narrated the entire incident to her and expressed his fear for his safety. Khadijah (رضی اللہ عنہا) reassured him, saying, "By Allah, He will never disgrace you. You maintain family ties, help the needy, support the weak, show hospitality to guests, and assist people in fulfilling their legitimate needs."
Afterward, Khadijah (رضی اللہ عنہا) took the Prophet (ﷺ) to her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, who had accepted Christianity in the pre-Islamic era. He was well-versed in the Injeel (Gospel), which he had translated into Hebrew. Although aged and blind, Waraqah listened intently as the Prophet (ﷺ) narrated his experience. Waraqah then said, "This is the same angel, Jibreel, who was sent down by Allah to Musa (Moses)." He added, "If only I were young during the time of your mission, if only I could be there when your people expel you." The Prophet (ﷺ) asked in surprise, "Will my people expel me?" Waraqah replied, "Yes. Anyone who has brought what you bring has faced enmity from his people. If I am alive when your mission begins, I will support you fully." Shortly afterward, Waraqah passed away, and the initial revelation paused for some time.
➊ Maintaining Family Ties
➋ Helping the Needy
➌ Supporting the Weak
➍ Showing Hospitality to Guests
➎ Fulfilling People's Legitimate Needs and Assisting in Righteous Matters
May Allah grant us these five noble qualities as well. Ameen!
The First Revelation:
Umm al-Mu'mineen, Aisha (رضی اللہ عنہا), narrates that the first form of revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) began through true dreams. The dreams he saw would manifest with perfect clarity, like the morning light. Following this, the Prophet (ﷺ) developed a preference for solitude and would often retreat to the Cave of Hira for seclusion and worship. He would stay there for several days, deeply engaged in worship, and only return home when he needed more provisions, which he would then bring with him for extended stays in the cave.In the Cave of Hira, the first revelation occurred. An angel appeared before the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Read!" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I am not a reader." The angel then grasped him firmly, squeezing him to the point of exhaustion, and released him with the command to "Read!" The Prophet (ﷺ) again responded, "I am not a reader." The angel repeated this act twice more, each time holding him tightly and releasing him with the command to "Read!" Finally, the angel recited:
"Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is Most Generous."
(Surah Al-Alaq, 96:1-3)
Upon returning home, his heart was trembling with awe. He went to Khadijah (رضی اللہ عنہا) and said, "Cover me, cover me." She wrapped him in a blanket, and once he felt more at ease, he narrated the entire incident to her and expressed his fear for his safety. Khadijah (رضی اللہ عنہا) reassured him, saying, "By Allah, He will never disgrace you. You maintain family ties, help the needy, support the weak, show hospitality to guests, and assist people in fulfilling their legitimate needs."
Afterward, Khadijah (رضی اللہ عنہا) took the Prophet (ﷺ) to her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, who had accepted Christianity in the pre-Islamic era. He was well-versed in the Injeel (Gospel), which he had translated into Hebrew. Although aged and blind, Waraqah listened intently as the Prophet (ﷺ) narrated his experience. Waraqah then said, "This is the same angel, Jibreel, who was sent down by Allah to Musa (Moses)." He added, "If only I were young during the time of your mission, if only I could be there when your people expel you." The Prophet (ﷺ) asked in surprise, "Will my people expel me?" Waraqah replied, "Yes. Anyone who has brought what you bring has faced enmity from his people. If I am alive when your mission begins, I will support you fully." Shortly afterward, Waraqah passed away, and the initial revelation paused for some time.
Key Lessons:
This hadith highlights the nature, place, and method of the first revelation. Readers can draw significant lessons from the five noble qualities found in the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) before his formal declaration of prophethood, qualities that are crucial but often neglected:➊ Maintaining Family Ties
➋ Helping the Needy
➌ Supporting the Weak
➍ Showing Hospitality to Guests
➎ Fulfilling People's Legitimate Needs and Assisting in Righteous Matters
May Allah grant us these five noble qualities as well. Ameen!
