IQRA! The First Revelation
Muslim History Series | Article #5
At the age of forty, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) entered a turning point that changed human history. The years of reflection, seclusion, and preparation came to their purpose in a single night in the month of Ramadan.
The Setting: Jabal al‑Noor and Cave Hira
Cave Hira is a small cave located on Jabal al‑Noor, a mountain about three kilometers from Makkah. The cave itself is narrow, roughly 1.75 meters wide and 3.5 meters long, with an opening that overlooks the Kaʿbah. In the years before prophethood, Muhammad (peace be upon him) would climb this mountain and spend days or weeks in solitude. He would perform tahannuth, a form of reflection and worship practiced by people who rejected idol worship and sought the way of Ibrahim (a.s) also known as Abraham . He would bring provisions with him, stay there to meditate and worship, then return to Khadijah for more supplies before returning again. Early seerah works, including Ibn Hisham’s Sirat Rasul Allah, confirm this practice.
The Night of Power
One night in Ramadan, during one of these retreats in Cave Hira, something happened that he could not have expected. According to Sahih Bukhari, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came to him unexpectedly and said, “Iqra’” (Read or Recite):
“Read.”
The Prophet replied:
“I am not a reader.”
Jibreel then embraced him tightly until he could not bear it, then released him and said again:
“Read.”
He replied:
“I am not a reader.”
The angel embraced him again, released him, and repeated:
“Read.”
When the Prophet replied the same, the angel embraced him a third time and recited the first verses of revelation:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created.
Created man from a clot.
Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous.
Who taught by the pen.
Taught man what he did not know.”
(Qur’an 96:1–5)
These five verses marked the beginning of the Qur’an. They emphasize knowledge, creation, writing, and the generosity of the Creator.
The Prophet’s Immediate Reaction
The Prophet left the cave terrified and trembling. When he reached his home, he said:
“Cover me! Cover me!” (Zammilooni, zammilooni).
Khadijah covered him with a blanket and calmed him down. She reassured him with words preserved in Sahih Bukhari:
“Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your family, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously, and you assist those afflicted by calamities.”
Sahih al‑Bukhari (Book of Revelation, Hadith 3) – Narrated ‘Aisha.
These words show how Khadijah immediately believed in him and knew his character would not be abandoned by Allah.
Waraqah ibn Nawfal’s Confirmation
Khadijah then took the Prophet to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal. Waraqah was a Christian who had studied the scriptures of the Jews and Christians. When he heard what had happened, he said:
“This is the Namus (the angel Jibreel) that Allah sent to Musa (Moses). I wish I were young and could live until the day your people drive you out.”
The Prophet asked:
“Will they drive me out?”
Waraqah replied:
“No man has ever brought what you have brought except that he was met with hostility.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Revelation, Hadith 3)
Scholarly Notes
Early scholars explain these details carefully. Ibn Hajar, in Fath al‑Bari, clarifies that the three embraces emphasize the seriousness of the message and the Prophet’s preparation to receive revelation. Ibn Kathir in Al‑Bidaya wa’l‑Nihaya and Al‑Tabari in Tarikh al‑Rusul wa’l‑Muluk record similar accounts that match the hadith in authenticity.
About the Exact Night and Laylat al‑Qadr
The Qur’an itself tells us that the revelation began on a special night in Ramadan. Allah says:
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
(Qur’an 97:1–3)
This shows that the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Cave Hira happened on Laylat al‑Qadr. That night is in the last ten nights of Ramadan, but Allah did not tell us the exact date. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us:
“Search for the Night of Decree in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.”
(Sahih Bukhari 2017)
The wisdom behind keeping the exact date hidden is explained by scholars. If everyone knew the exact date, most people would only worship on that one night. By hiding it, Allah encourages believers to strive harder in worship, prayer, and seeking forgiveness throughout all of the last ten nights. This increases reward and shows sincerity.
Ibn Hajar, in Fath al‑Bari, explains that this is a mercy from Allah. It motivates people to stay devoted, to look for the signs of that night, and to fill their last ten nights with worship instead of focusing on only one.
What is agreed upon by all scholars is that this event in Cave Hira marked the beginning of the Qur’an and the mission of the final Prophet, and that it happened on the blessed Night of Decree in Ramadan, even though the exact date within the last ten nights is not specified.
Authenticy Note: Every claim made in this article is higly credible and authentic. There are no weak hadiths or claims in this article.
Sources
Sahih Bukhari, Book of Revelation, Hadith 3.
Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith.
Qur’an 96:1–5.
Ibn Hisham, Sirat Rasul Allah.
Ibn Kathir, Al‑Bidaya wa’l‑Nihaya.
Ibn Saʿd, Tabaqat al‑Kubra.
Al‑Tabari, Tarikh al‑Rusul wa’l‑Muluk.
Ibn Hajar al‑Asqalani, Fath al‑Bari.