The Story Of Revelation.

The Holy Quran is the exact words of Almighty Allah and the ‘sacred text’ of all Muslims. So how did the Holy Quran come down from Allah to mankind?

The Quran was revealed bit by bit over a period of 23 years to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The Angel Gabriel was the one who brought down the revelation of the Holy Quran to Muhammad (S.A.W).

The first revelation occurred when Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was 40 years old. This revelation marked the beginning of His Nabuwwat(Prophethood).

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) used to often go to a cave on the outskirts of Mecca, called the cave of Hira. Here he used to meditate and think and contemplate. Unlike the other Arabs of the time, he never believed in the many idols in the Kabah. He had many unanswered questions about who our purpose in life and so on and would spend many quiet hours contemplating these thins in solitude.

It was here, in the cave of Hira, that the archangel Gabriel appeared to The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and said “Read”. The Prophet (S.A.W) who was gripped with fear upon seeing this supernatural being in front of him replied that he could not read. (The Prophet S.A.W was illiterate and could neither read nor write) Gabriel A.S. grabbed The Prophet S.A.W and squeezed him tightly.

Again, Gabriel repeated his command to read. Again, the Prophet S.A.W. replied that he could not. Gabriel squeezed him for a second time and then repeated his commandment to read. The Prophet S.A.W. asked “What should I read?”

Gabriel A.S. said
“Read in the name of your Lord, who created,
Created man from a clot.
Read! For the Lord is most generous
Who has taught the use of the pen
Taught man what he knew not”

To listen to this Surah in it’s entirety(with English Subtitles) please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RimTFdHefFU

The Prophet S.A.W. was very shaken up after this incident and rushed home to his wife Khadijah R.A. who wrapped him up in a shawl and comforted and soothed him. Later on she took him to her cousin Waraqah Bin Naufal who was a learned Christian Scholar. He confirmed that Muhammad S.A.W. was indeed the last Prophet that was mentioned in the Injeel.

After this, Gabriel came to The Holy Prophet S.A.W. many times of a period of 23 years as the Quran was revealed bit by bit.

To learn more about the Holy Quran I suggest that you visit the links below.