The First Revelation
Jibrīl brings the first verses of Sūrat al-ʿAlaq in the Cave of Ḥirāʾ.
Given to long periods of solitude and reflection in the Cave of Ḥirāʾ on the Mountain of Light, the Prophet ﷺ was visited by the Angel Jibrīl, who commanded him to 'Read!' and conveyed the first revealed verses of Sūrat al-ʿAlaq.
Shaken, he returned to Khadījah, who reassured and comforted him and took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a learned man who recognised this as the same revelation that had come to Mūsā.
Key figures
In the Qur'an
Reflections
- Revelation began with 'Read' — knowledge is foundational to the faith.
Source & authenticity · Compiled from standard Seerah works, principally Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) by S. al-Mubarakpuri. Editorial summaries in our own words; dates per traditional sources. Long-form detail is expanded from vetted sources and under scholarly review.