Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Agreed Upon):
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated the famous agreed-upon hadith: The Prophet ﷺ would go to Cave Hira and engage in devotion for nights on end. Then the Angel came and said: "Recite!" He replied: "I cannot read." The Angel took him and pressed him until he reached exhaustion, then released him and said again: "Recite!" This happened three times, then he recited:
"Recite in the name of your Lord who created" to
"taught man what he did not know."
Historical Context:
This occurred in Ramadan, on the 17th night (or 21st — disputed), when the Prophet ﷺ was 40 years old (610 CE). He returned trembling to Khadijah, who wrapped him in her garment and took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who confirmed his prophethood.
Significance:
- The Quran opens with "Read!" — commanding knowledge before all else
- "In the name of your Lord" — linking knowledge to faith from word one
- "Created man from a clot" — beginning from the lowest state, teaching humility
- "Taught by the pen" — writing as the vehicle for preserving knowledge across generations
Question: What were the first words revealed to the Prophet ﷺ by Jibril?
Answer: "Recite in the name of your Lord who created" — the opening of Surah Al-Alaq, in Cave Hira, 610 CE