The First Revelation (Years 7–11) — Islamic Studies

The first revelation in the cave of Hira, the angel Jibril and the word 'Iqra', Khadijah's support, and the first believers.

As he grew older, the Prophet Muhammad ص would withdraw to a quiet cave to reflect, and it was there that revelation first came to him.

Why this matters The first revelation marks the beginning of the Qur'ān and of Islam as we know it, and shows how Allah chose an honest, thoughtful man to carry His final message.

Reflection in the cave of Hira

Troubled by the idol-worship and injustice around him, the Prophet ص often went alone to the cave of Ḥirāʾ on a mountain near Makkah. There he would spend long periods in quiet thought and worship of Allah, seeking the truth. This habit of reflection, away from the noise of the city, prepared his heart to receive the greatest of all blessings.

The angel Jibril and 'Iqra'

One night, during the month of Ramaḍān, the angel Jibrīl (as) came to him and commanded him: Iqraʾ — "Read!" The Prophet ص replied that he could not read. The angel embraced him and repeated the command, and then revealed the first verses of the Qur'ān, which begin:

"Read in the name of your Lord who created — created man from a clinging clot." (Sūrah 96:1–2)

These were the very first words of the Qur'ān to be revealed, calling people to knowledge and to their Creator.

The support of Khadijah (ra)

The experience left the Prophet ص shaken, and he hurried home to Khadījah (ra). She comforted and reassured him, reminding him of his good character: that he kept ties of kinship, helped the poor, and spoke the truth, so Allah would never disgrace him. She became the very first person to believe in his message.

The first believers

After Khadījah (ra), others accepted Islam early:

his close friend Abū Bakr (ra) from among the men
his young cousin ʽAlī (ra) from among the children
Zayd ibn Ḥārithah (ra), whom he had freed and loved

These early Muslims, few in number, believed in one God and in the honesty of the man they already trusted as Al-Amīn. Their courage in accepting a new and difficult message reminds us that truth is worth following even when few others do so.

Common exam mistake: naming Sūrah al-Fātiḥah as the first revelation because it is the first sūrah in the muṣḥaf. The first verses actually revealed were the opening of Sūrah al-ʿAlaq (96:1–2), in the cave of Ḥirāʾ.

Exam technique: cite the exact first revelation precisely — Sūrah al-ʿAlaq, 96:1–2 — rather than only quoting the word “Iqraʾ”, since naming the sūrah and verse number earns fuller AO1 credit.

Put these events on the night of the first revelation in order:

The Prophet ﷺ withdraws to the cave of Ḥirāʾ to reflect
The angel Jibrīl (as) commands him: “Iqraʾ” — “Read!”
The first verses of Sūrah al-ʿAlaq are revealed
Khadījah (ra) comforts him and becomes the first to believe