Muhammad (PBUH) would often leave the crowded city and go to the cave in Mountain Hira. He liked to be alone there, away from all thoughts of the world and daily life, eating and drinking little. In his fortieth year, Muhammad (PBUH) left Makkah to spend Ramadan, the traditional month of retreat, in the cave. In the second half of Ramadan, Allah began to reveal His message for mankind through Muhammad (PBUH). This first Revelation occurred as follows:
Jibraeel came to Muhammad (PBUH) in the cave and commanded him to Read. Muhammad (PBUH) replied “I cannot read”. At this Jibraeel took Muhammad (PBUH) in his arms and pressed him too hard until it was almost too much to bear. He then released him and said again Read. “I cannot”, replied Muhammad (PBUH), at which the Jibraeel embraced him again. For the third time the Angel commanded Muhammad (PBUH) to read, but still he said he could not and was again embraced. On releasing him this time, however, Jibraeel said: :
“Read: In the Name of your Lord who created, Created man from a clot. Read: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who Taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran Surah 96: Verse 1-5) :
Muhammad (PBUH) repeated these verses, just as the Jibraeel had said them. When the Angel was sure Muhammad (PBUH) knew them by heart, he went away. :
In a state of confusion, Muhammad (PBUH) returned home to Khadijah. When his wife saw him, she became very worried as He was shivering, as though in a fever. He (PBUH) asked her to wrap him in blankets, which she did. After a while he recovered sufficiently to tell her what had happened at Hira. Khadijah believed all that He (PBUH) told her and with great respect said: Be happy, “O son of my uncle and be confident. Truly I swear by Allah who has my soul in His hands, that you will be our people’s Prophet.” Muhammad (PBUH), the Messenger of Allah, was eased by her faith in him, but after all that had happened he was exhausted and felt fast asleep. :
Khadijah left the Prophet (PBUH) sleeping and went to see her cousin, Waraqah Bin Nawfal, to ask him what he thought about all that had happened. Waraqah was a very wise man who had read many books and had become a Christian after studying the Bible. He told Khadijah that Muhammad (PBUH) had been chosen by Allah to be His Messenger, just as Jibraeel had come to Musa (AS). :
From that day on, Jibraeel came often to the Prophet (PBUH) and the verses he taught him, the message from Allah to man, were later written down, and are known to us as the Holy Quran.
