How did the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ begin? What signs appeared before the first revelation? The beginning of revelation was preceded by important signs and preparations that led to one of the greatest events in human history.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known before his mission for truthfulness, trustworthiness, noble character, and avoidance of immoral qualities. As he approached the age of forty, he developed a strong inclination toward solitude and worship.
He would retreat to the Cave of Hira for several nights, worshipping Allah, before returning to his wife Khadijah رضي الله عنها and preparing to return again.
The Signs Before Revelation
One of the earliest signs preceding revelation was the true dream. Aisha رضي الله عنها reported that the first form of revelation experienced by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was true dreams, and that whatever he saw in a dream would become clear like the morning light.
These dreams were among the signs that preceded his prophethood and prepared him for the momentous mission ahead.
Another established sign was the greeting of a stone in Makkah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“I know a stone in Makkah that used to greet me before I was sent.”
These signs demonstrate the divine preparation that preceded the beginning of his prophetic mission.
Retreat in the Cave of Hira
The Cave of Hira became the place where the first revelation was received. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would retreat there to worship Allah away from the idolatry and social practices that were widespread in Makkah.
His solitude was not an escape from responsibility. Rather, it preceded the beginning of a new stage in which he would carry the message of monotheism and call people to worship Allah alone.
The scholars regarded the true dreams, love of solitude, and worship in Hira as signs and preparations preceding prophethood.
Gabriel Brings the First Revelation
When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reached the age of forty, Gabriel عليه السلام came to him while he was in the Cave of Hira.
According to the authentic narration reported by Al-Bukhari from Aisha رضي الله عنها, the angel said:
“Read.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“I am not a reader.”
The encounter was repeated, and then the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq were revealed:
{Read in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous.}
With these verses, the revelation of the Quran began and the prophetic mission of Muhammad ﷺ entered its decisive stage.
The Prophet’s Return to Khadijah
After receiving the first revelation, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ returned from the Cave of Hira deeply shaken by what he had experienced.
He entered upon Khadijah رضي الله عنها and said:
“Cover me, cover me.”
She comforted him until his fear subsided. He then told her what had happened and expressed his concern.
Khadijah رضي الله عنها responded by reminding him of his noble character. She described his kindness toward relatives, assistance to those in need, hospitality toward guests, and support for people facing hardship.
Her response demonstrated her deep understanding of his character and became one of the most important moments following the first revelation.
Khadijah and Waraqah ibn Nawfal
Khadijah رضي الله عنها then took Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a relative who had knowledge of earlier scriptures.
After listening to the Prophet’s account, Waraqah identified the being he had encountered as the same messenger who had come to Moses عليه السلام.
Waraqah also warned that those who brought a message like this to their people were often opposed by them.
This meeting was among the earliest confirmations that what had occurred in the Cave of Hira was the beginning of divine revelation.
What Is Revelation?
In Islamic terminology, revelation refers to Allah informing His prophets of what He wishes to communicate to them concerning divine guidance, law, or scripture.
Revelation is the foundation of prophethood and the means through which Allah communicates His guidance to His messengers.
The Quran explicitly describes itself as a revelation from Allah:
{And indeed, it is a revelation of the Lord of the worlds. The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down upon your heart so that you may be among the warners, in a clear Arabic language.}
The Trustworthy Spirit refers to Gabriel عليه السلام, who brought the Quran to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Seeking Prophethood?
Prophethood is not a rank that a person can obtain simply through personal effort or spiritual practice. It is a divine choice and selection.
Allah says:
{Allah chooses messengers from among the angels and from among the people.}
He also says:
{Allah knows best where to place His message.}
The beginning of revelation itself illustrates this principle. When Gabriel appeared to the Prophet ﷺ, he was deeply shaken and returned to Khadijah رضي الله عنها seeking reassurance.
His reaction was not that of someone claiming to have achieved a position he had been seeking. Rather, he initially experienced fear and uncertainty about the extraordinary event that had occurred.
The Weight of Revelation
Revelation was a tremendous experience, and the Quran describes its message as a heavy word:
{Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.}
Aisha رضي الله عنها also described the physical intensity associated with the revelation. She reported seeing the Prophet ﷺ receive revelation on an extremely cold day and, when it ended, his forehead would be covered with sweat.
These descriptions illustrate the immense responsibility associated with receiving and conveying divine revelation.
The Quran Confirms the Source of Revelation
The Quran repeatedly confirms that the message received by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came from Allah, just as revelation had been sent to earlier prophets.
Allah says:
{Indeed, We have revealed to you as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him, and We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Descendants, and Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and We gave David the book of Psalms.}
Allah also says:
{And thus We have revealed to you a spirit from Our command. You did not know what the Scripture was or what faith was, but We made it a light by which We guide whoever We will of Our servants.}
These verses establish the divine origin of the revelation and its continuity with the revelations given to earlier prophets.
Why Did Revelation Begin in the Cave of Hira?
The Cave of Hira was the setting for the first revelation received by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The period before revelation had included true dreams, solitude, and worship, preparing him for the enormous responsibility of prophethood.
The first revealed words were:
{Read in the name of your Lord who created.}
This beginning highlights the importance of knowledge, reading, faith, and recognition of Allah as the Creator.
Lessons From the Beginning of Revelation
The story of the first revelation contains many important lessons:
- Prophethood is a divine selection, not a status acquired through personal effort.
- Noble character was a defining quality of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- True dreams were among the signs preceding revelation.
- Solitude and worship preceded the first revelation.
- The Quran is divine revelation brought by Gabriel عليه السلام.
- Receiving revelation was a tremendous responsibility.
- Khadijah رضي الله عنها demonstrated the importance of reassurance and support during moments of fear.
- The message of Islam belongs to the continuous history of divine revelation given to the prophets before Muhammad ﷺ.
Conclusion
The beginning of revelation was the greatest turning point in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and one of the most significant events in human history.
The first revelation was preceded by true dreams, solitude, and worship. Then Gabriel عليه السلام came to the Prophet ﷺ in the Cave of Hira and delivered the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq.
From that moment, the message of Islam began, the Quran was revealed as guidance for humanity, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ undertook the responsibility of conveying Allah’s message and calling people to worship Him alone.
When did revelation begin for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Revelation began when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was forty years old, while he was in the Cave of Hira.
Who brought revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Gabriel عليه السلام brought divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
What were the first verses revealed?
The opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq: {Read in the name of your Lord who created.}
What preceded the first revelation?
True dreams, a love of solitude, and worship in the Cave of Hira were among the signs preceding revelation.
What did Prophet Muhammad ﷺ do after the first revelation?
He returned to Khadijah رضي الله عنها deeply shaken by the experience. She comforted him and then took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal.
