The Beginning of Revelation
Late one Monday night, just before dawn on the 21st of Ramadan (August 10, 610 CE), an event occurred that forever changed the life of the man chosen to deliver Allah’s message, and would eventually transform the lives of countless generations yet to come.
At that time, Muhammad ﷺ was forty years, six months, and twelve days old according to the lunar calendar—or thirty-nine years, three months, and twenty-two days old according to the solar calendar. He was alone in the cave of Hira, worshipping Allah as he had done during the previous two Ramadans.
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who narrated many of the Prophet’s words and actions, describes how Muhammad’s ﷺ transition from an ordinary man to the Prophet began. First, he started seeing true dreams that came to pass exactly as he saw them. Then, he began seeking solitude. He would retreat to the cave of Hira and meditate there for days and nights at a time, taking provisions with him. When his supplies ran out, he would return to Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her), gather more, and go back to the cave.
This continued until one night, the “Truth” was revealed to him. While he was in the cave, an angel appeared and commanded him, “Read!”
“I cannot read,” Muhammad ﷺ replied.
The angel then embraced him tightly until he could no longer bear it and released him, repeating, “Read!”
Again , Muhammad ﷺ replied, “I cannot read.”
The angel embraced him a second time, then released him, and said once more, “Read!”
For a third time, Muhammad ﷺ answered, “I cannot read.”
Finally, the angel recited:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created – created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.”
Terrified, with his heart pounding, Muhammad ﷺ rushed back home to Khadeejah and said, “Cover me! Cover me!” She comforted him until he calmed down, then he told her what had happened in the cave and expressed his fear: “I fear something has happened to me.”
Khadeejah reassured him, saying:
“Never! By Allah, He will never disgrace you. You maintain good relations with your family, you help the weak and destitute, you are generous to your guests, and you assist those in need.”
She then took him to her elderly cousin, Waraqa ibn Nawfal, who was well-versed in the Scriptures, having left paganism for Christianity and studied the Gospels.
“O my cousin,” Khadeejah said, “listen to your nephew.”
Waraqa asked, “What have you seen, my nephew?”
Muhammad ﷺ told him what had happened in the cave. Waraqa said:
“This is the same angel that Allah sent to Musa (Moses). I wish I were young again so I could support you when your people drive you out of this city.”
“Will they drive me out?” Muhammad ﷺ asked in surprise.
“Yes,” Waraqa replied. “No man has ever brought what you have brought without facing hostility. If I live to see that day, I will support you with all my strength.”
Soon after, Waraqa passed away, and there was a long pause before Muhammad ﷺ received another revelation.
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The Pause in Revelation
After this first encounter with Jibreel (Gabriel), revelation ceased for some time. The Prophet ﷺ, deeply troubled, feared that Allah had abandoned him. In moments of despair, he sometimes wished to throw himself from the mountain, but each time he felt Jibreel’s reassuring presence and would calm down.
This period of silence was one of reflection and preparation for what was to come. One day, Muhammad ﷺ returned to the cave of Hira as usual. Upon leaving the cave and descending the mountain, another extraordinary event occurred.
The Prophet ﷺ described it as follows:
“When I descended into the valley, I heard a voice saying, ‘Muhammad! You are the Messenger of Allah, and I am Jibreel!’ When I raised my head, I saw the angel who had come to me in Hira, filling the horizon. I was overwhelmed with awe and bowed to the ground.”
Terrified, he rushed home to Khadeejah once again, asking her to cover him. She wrapped him in a blanket and sprinkled water on him to calm him.
It was then that the second revelation came — the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir:
“O you who is wrapped up! Arise and warn! Magnify your Lord, purify your garments, shun all idols, do not expect worldly gain for your efforts, and be patient for the sake of your Lord.”
This marked the resumption of revelation. Muhammad ﷺ had already been appointed as a Prophet with the first revelation. Now, with this one, he was commissioned as a Messenger — tasked with two duties:
1. “Arise and warn.” He was to teach his people about Allah, warn them of the consequences of sin, and call them to monotheism.
2. Live as an example. He was to follow Allah’s commands and become a model for others.
Muslim scholars explain that the instructions in these verses outlined the fundamental practices of Islam: worshipping Allah alone, purifying one’s conduct, abandoning pagan practices, not seeking worldly reward for righteous deeds, and showing patience.
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The Mission Begins
Muhammad ﷺ accepted his mission with full obedience. He first called the members of his household to worship Allah and submit to His will, thus becoming Muslims — those who surrender to Allah.
But the people of Makkah were harsh and stubborn, clinging to idol worship inherited from their ancestors, long removed from the pure monotheism of Ibrahim and Isma’eel. Knowing their hostility, Muhammad ﷺ began quietly inviting those closest to him, choosing people whose hearts he sensed would be open to the truth.
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