Notes on Revelation of the Qur'an

Revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (610-632 C.E.)

• Allah's role:

  • Creator and sustainer.

  • Provider of guidance to mankind from the beginning.

  • Sustains the universe with precision

  • All knowing and fair

• Promise to Adam and descendants:

  • Guidance will be provided.

  • Followers of guidance will have no fear or grief.

  • Guidance sent from Allah is meant to lead humans to the right path and keeps them on guard
    Reference to Surah-Al-Baqarah, Verse 38:

"We said, 'Get down all of you from this place (Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.'" (Surah-Al-Baqarah, Verse: 38)

• Guidance through Prophets:

  • Continued through all prophets to Prophet Muhammad.

  • All prophets were granted miracles

• The Qur'an:

  • Allah's last and final revelation.

  • Basic message is the same as previous scriptures.

  • Universal directions and instructions for all situations and times.

  • The Qur'an covers a range of topics: theological, moral, and societal teachings

• Definition of the Qur'an:

  • Words of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

  • Narrated by him without changes.

  • Written down in chapters.

The First Revelation of Qur'an on Prophet Muhammad

• Timing:

  • Began on Laila-tul-Qadr (the Night of Power) in Ramadan.

  • After Prophet Muhammad crossed the fortieth year of his life.

  • The age of 40 is considered the age of maturity and wisdom

• Initial form of Divine inspiration:

  • Good dreams that came true.

  • Love of seclusion.

  • Prophet Muhammad sought solitude to reflect and connect spiritually

• Seclusion in the cave of Hira:

  • Location: Jabal Al-Noor.

  • Activities: Meditation, pondering over the signs of Allah, worrying about the people of Makkah.

  • Logistics: Taking food and returning to Khadijah for more.

  • The cave of Hira was a place of peace and contemplation for Prophet Muhammad

• The First Revelation Event:

  • Angel Jibraeel's appearance in the cave of Hira.

  • Angel Jibraeel asked Prophet Muhammad to read. The word, Qur'an is derived from the word, Qaraa which literally means 'to read'.

  • Prophet Muhammad's response: "I do not know how to read".

  • Angel Jibraeel's actions: Forcefully pressing Prophet Muhammad.

  • Repetition: The angel asked Prophet Muhammad to read three times, pressing him each time.

  • Revelation of the first verses of the Qur'an (Surah-Al-Alaq, Verses 1-5):

"Read! In the name of your Lord, Who has created (all) that exists). Created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not."

• Prophet Muhammad's state after the revelation:

  • Returned home with Divine inspiration.

  • Heart thumping rapidly.

  • Request to Khadijah: "Cover me! Cover me!"

  • The experience was overwhelming, both physically and spiritually

• Laila-tul-Qadr:

  • The Night of Power when Angel Jibraeel comes down on earth with other angels.

  • Occurs on one of the odd nights of Ramadan: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th of Ramadan.