a) Write about the events of the first revelation received by the Prophet

Muhammad (pbuh) and how he was reassured afterwards. [10]

Answer:

With the age and growing understanding, Hazrat Muhammad pbuh became more aware of the
corrupt society around him and it disturbed him greatly. He could not believe the polytheistic
ideas of the pagans of Mecca and often thought of the God of his forefathers; Ibrahim and
Ismail. He did not follow any particular method of worship because he was not aware of any but
he realized that there is a force of truth beyond this world which must have power and control
over the whole Universe.

A few years before the conferment of Prophet Hood, he became more and more fond of
solitude. He started retiring for days with the supply of dates, Oatmeal and water into a cave
three miles away from Makkah known as the cave of Hira (1.75 yard wide and 4 yard long). It
is also known as the “The mount of Noor” (jabal –e- Noor). There he pondered and mediated
over the condition of his people. A strange thing happened with him that his dreams started
coming true. These spells of loneliness and mediation became more frequent as he approached
the age of 40 years.

One day towards the end of the Ramazan 610 AD, Angel Jibrael appeared before Muhammad
(PBUH) and asked him to read. This was so sudden and unexpected that startled by the strange
voice, he answered, “I cannot read”. It was repeated thrice he answered “I cannot read”. Then
he felt that he was being hugged and squeezed so hard that he thought that he would die of
suffocation.Mirecally he asked what I should read?” Then the Angel recited the following first
five verse of Surah Al Alaq; “Read! In the name of your Lord who created, created
man out of a clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And your Lord is most bountiful,

He who taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not”.

Muhammad (PBUH) recited these verse after the Angel and the words were imprinted on his
mind. This was the first revelation and the beginning of the Prophet hood of Muhammad
(PBUH).He was then 40 year old. He was greatly shaken shivered by this experience and he
then out of the cave of Hira. Suddenly he heard a voice and raising his head in the sky he saw
the same Angel in the sky filling the whole horizon and saying, “O Muhammad! You are the
messenger of Allah and I am Jibrael”.

Whichever way he looked, he saw the same vision and heard the same voice. He stood there
until the Angel disappeared, after the experience he came home and narrated the incident to
Hazrat Khadija R.A She comforted him by saying that you are the truthful and honest, Allah
will never disgrace you.You keep good relation with your kith and kin, help the poor, serve
your guests and assist those who are in problems” you are kind and caring, and so Allah could
not harm you.Then she took him to his cousin Warqa bin Nauwfal.who was scholarly person
and a Christian monk. After hearing to what had happened to her husband in the cave of Hira,
he said it was the Angel Jibrael who had always brought revelations to previous
Messengers of Allah. He also informed her that his enemies would turn the new Prophet
out of the city. Warqa did not live long after this event. after the first, there was no further
revelation for some time, it was called Fatra tul-Wahi Later it was resumed by Surah Al-Duha.

b) What can Muslims today learn from the first revelation about the importance of
reading and understanding the Qur’an? [4]

The Qur’an is the final revelation from God, and in it contains the guidance for humankind for
all time. It is an opportunity for Muslims to know what it is that God wants from them so they
can act on what will be pleasing to God. For this it would be important to learn the meaning of
the Qur’an although there is also reward in reading it without knowing the meaning. Reading it

with understanding could lead a person so have a deeper connection with God.