Quran - 03 - First revelation of Quran

The mountain and the man

 The Qur'an draws attention to a very important geological function of mountains:

وَجَعَلْنَا فِى الاٌّرْضِ رَوَاسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجاً سُبُلاً لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ

We placed firmly embedded mountains on the earth, so it would not move under them, and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that they may be guided. (Qur'an - Anbiyaa - 21:31) 

The verse states that mountains perform the function of preventing shocks in the Earth. This fact was not known by anyone at the time the Qur'an was revealed. It was, in fact, brought to light only recently, as a result of the findings of modern geological research. 

إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِىِّ وَالإِشْرَاقِ

We subjected the mountains to glorify [Allah] with him in the evening and at sunrise. (Qur’an - Saad 38:18) 

Because of the greatness of the Quran and the signs, miracles, parables and lessons contained therein, in addition to its eloquence and beautiful style, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَـشِعاً مُّتَصَدِّعاً مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الاٌّمْثَـلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect. (Quran - Hashr - 21)

Mountains play an important role in our existence as Allah explains in the above verses their role in stabilising this earth. As important as their role is, they knew that they would crumble under the pressure had Quran been reveled upon them. It was man who took up the challenge to receive this revelation which is a mighty revelation. It is no co-incidence that
the night on which it was revealed is called the Night of Power (ليلة اللقدر )

First Revelation

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ found the life of Makkah disturbing and would go to a cave, just outside of Makkah, to mediate and reflect on matters and worship his Creator. Having done this many time, one night suddenly, an angel appeared and commanded him to read. Obviously, Muhammad ﷺ, being unlettered, replied that he was unable to read (the full description is in the authentic hadith below). The important first verses revealed were verses relating to the upliftment of mankind, verses that included everything from learning, educating, teaching, researching, reflecting and so much more. Five verses were revealed that announced a road to success. Success in any field is inextricably linked to the Creator, Allah. The lessons from this encounter are many and perhaps need to be covered in another posting.

Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan and it is the reason for us fasting. It was revealed on the Night of Power when the Prophet ﷺ reached the age of 40. It was revealed while Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in cave Hira on Mount Nur. How amazing that the Quran was revealed while he, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was on a mountain yet the mountain would in itself not been able to receive the revelation because of the might of Quran, the Word of Allah. How blessed are we that we having been the capacity to receive the revelation of Quran and we have the Power that it brings.

The First Revelation as quoted in Bukhari:       

Narrated 'Aisha: (the mother of the faithful believers)

The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him on the journey food  for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read ". The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.'

Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more.  He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read'.

Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that  he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me."

Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."

Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the Pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

    

 

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Did you know?

1.         Moses (Moosa - peace be upon him) received the Torah on Mount Sinai

2.         The entire Torah was revealed while Moses - peace be upon him - was on the           Mount for 40 days.

3.         Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - received the first of the revelation on Mount of Light

4.         The Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years in various locations.

5.       The textual order of the Quran is not the same as the chronological order of the Quran