The First Revelation
نزول الوحي الأول
Cave of Hira, Makkah
At age 40, while meditating in the Cave of Hira during the month of Ramadan, the Angel Jibreel appeared to Muhammad ﷺ and commanded him to 'Read!' (Iqra). The first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq were revealed, marking the beginning of the Prophetic mission.
Significance
The beginning of the final revelation to humanity — the Quran. This event transformed a merchant into the Messenger of Allah.
Authenticated Sources
Surah Al-Alaq 96:1-5
"Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not."
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Sahih al-Bukhari 3
"The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, 'I do not know how to read.' The Prophet added, 'The angel caught me forcefully and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read...'"
Narrated by: Aisha رضي الله عنها
Related Events
Quick Facts
- Islamic Date
- 17 Ramadan
- Gregorian Date
- c. 610 CE
- Location
- Cave of Hira, Makkah
- Sources
- 2 references