The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in the cave of Hira

It was 40th year of the earthly life of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Solitude had been made endearing to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Three miles away from the Makkah, there is a mountain which is known “Jabal Noor.”  At the top of that mountain, there is a cave which is called “Ghaar-e-Hira”.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would go there with the intention to worship Almighty Allah and busy Himself in remembrance of the Lord Almighty.  He would take a small quantity of barley with Him as food.  When that would be finished, sometimes the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Himself would return to His house and sometimes, Hadhrat Khadija (May Allah be well pleased with her) would bring food to the cave.

 

The divine revelation begins

 

As was usual, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was busy in remembrance of Almighty Allah and meditation when one day, Jibreel (May peace be upon him) came on the command of Allah and requested:  Recite “Iqra.”  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I am not going to recite.  The angel embraced Him warmly and repeated his request.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) repeated His answer.  This happened thrice.  Then the angel recited the first 5 verses of Surah ‘Alaq.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also recited them.  With this divine revelation, there was a surge of divine radiance and effulgence and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had attained special proximity of Almighty Allah, because which His blessed body was shivering.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came back to His house and asked Hadhrat Khadija (May Allah be well pleased with her) to cover Him with a coverlet.  She did so.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) described to her all that had happened and told her:  I am worried about my Ummah.  Hadhrat Khadija (May Allah be well pleased with her) replied:  When you are there, there is no worry for them.  By the Lord Almighty, He will keep your status elevated and will not stop His help.

 

You host guests, treating others nicely is your custom, you help the weak, you provide succor to the needy.  Then Hadhrat Khadija (May Allah be well pleased with her) went to her cousin brother Warqa bin Noufal who was a monotheist and narrated everything to him.  He said: This is the same angel who comes to the Prophets on behalf of Almighty Allah.  I wish I were healthy enough at that time of declaration of Prophethood.  I wish I could be alive when your community’s persecutions will force you to leave Makkah.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Will I have to leave Makkah because of these people?  Whoever has been granted Prophethood has been persecuted by their nations and have been vengeful to them.

 

Then for a few days by Almighty Allah’s design, no divine revelation came.  Then the beginning verses of Surah Mudassir were revealed.