Basic
First Revelation
Surah: Ad-Duha (3)
The Pause in Revelation & The Revelation of Ad-Duha
مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ
— الضحى الآية 3
Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Bukhari):
Jibril was absent from the Prophet ﷺ for a period — narrations vary between 2 and 12 days. The polytheists gloated: "Muhammad's Lord has abandoned and hated him!" A woman reportedly said: "Your devil has forsaken you!" So this surah was revealed to console the Prophet ﷺ and refute them.
Significance:
Jibril was absent from the Prophet ﷺ for a period — narrations vary between 2 and 12 days. The polytheists gloated: "Muhammad's Lord has abandoned and hated him!" A woman reportedly said: "Your devil has forsaken you!" So this surah was revealed to console the Prophet ﷺ and refute them.
Significance:
- "By the morning brightness" — an oath by daylight, countering the polytheists' insinuation of darkness
- "Your Lord has not abandoned you, nor has He despised you" — a categorical refutation
- "The Hereafter is better for you than the first" — promise of a glorious future
- "Your Lord will give to you, and you will be satisfied" — an open-ended divine promise
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (4951); Al-Wahidi, Asbab Al-Nuzul
Test Yourself
What led the polytheists to claim Allah had abandoned Muhammad ﷺ?
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