In this Maulid season (celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. in the month of Rabiulawal), it’s a great time to explore the story of the Sohib al-Maulid (Owner of the Maulid), the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, and appreciate the profound message he brought. By understanding this message, we can cherish it and be closer to the teachings of Islam that the Prophet s.a.w. conveyed, and by the favour of Allah s.w.t, be conscious and mindful of Allah (taqwa).

Read: 7 Reflections on Celebrating the Mawlid

In this article, we shall uncover timeless lessons from the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet s.a.w, which include the Makkan society prior to the revelation and the Prophet’s s.a.w. act of solitude. We will also delve into the importance of knowledge, Khadijah’s r.a. role, and the Prophet’s s.a.w. resilience. Our goal is to reflect on these lessons and apply them in our daily lives to become better Muslims, as Allah s.w.t. commands:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah s.w.t. often.”

(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21)

By following his footsteps, we hope to attain forgiveness as Allah s.w.t. promises:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Say, (O Prophet,) ‘If you (sincerely) love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’”

(Surah Ali Imran, 3:31)

Introduction to the Events Surrounding the Quran’s First Revelation

The revelation began in Makkah while the Prophet s.a.w. was in solitude during a time of moral darkness. To truly grasp the significance of this message, let us first delve into the events and environment of Makkah during that period.

At that time, the Makkan society was characterised by wealth and power, especially for the tribe of Quraysh, the custodians of the house of worship. People from across the Arabian Peninsula came to Makkah for pilgrimage, and each tribe played an important role in serving the pilgrims.

Despite their wealth, they lacked moral values, worshipped multiple deities, mistreated women, drank alcohol, and excessively boasted about their lifestyle in their poetry – behaviours characteristic of the Jahiliyyah (the period before the prophethood of Rasulullah). Ja'far ibn Abi Talib r.a. described the state of the Makkan society to Najashi (the king of Abyssinia):

أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ، كُنَّا قَوْمًا أَهْلَ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ نَعْبُدُ الْأَصْنَامَ، وَنَأْكُلُ الْمَيْتَةَ، وَنَأْتِي الْفَوَاحِشَ، وَنَقْطَعُ الْأَرْحَامَ، وَنُسِيءُ الْجِوَارَ يَأْكُلُ الْقَوِيُّ مِنَّا الضَّعِيفَ فَكُنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ. حَتَّى بَعَثَ اللهُ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا مِنَّا نَعْرِفُ نَسَبَهُ وَصِدْقَهُ وَأَمَانَتَهُ وَعَفَافَهُ، " فَدَعَانَا: إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى لِنُوَحِّدَهُ وَنَعْبُدَهُ وَنَخْلَعَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ نَحْنُ وَآبَاؤُنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ وَالْأَوْثَانِ، وَأَمَرَ بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ، وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ، وَصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ، وَحُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ، وَالْكَفِّ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ وَالدِّمَاءِ. وَنَهَانَا عَنْ: الْفَوَاحِشِ، وَقَوْلِ الزُّورِ، وَأَكْلِ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ، وَقَذْفِ الْمُحْصَنَةِ.

“O King, we were a people of ignorance who worshipped idols, ate dead animals, committed indecent acts, severed family ties, and mistreated our neighbours. The strong among us would oppress the weak, and we were in this state until God sent us a messenger from among us, whose lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and chastity we knew. He called us to God, to worship Him alone and to renounce what we and our ancestors used to worship besides Him, such as stones and idols. He commanded us to speak the truth, to fulfil trusts, to maintain family ties, to be good to our neighbours, and to refrain from forbidden actions and shedding blood. He forbade us from indecent acts, false speech, consuming the wealth of orphans, and slandering chaste women.”

(Musnad Ahmad)

This society showed that wealth and power do not ensure a just and civilised society. True virtue lies in good morals and character, as highlighted by Ja'far r.a. Rasulullah s.a.w. came as a guiding light, caring for the poor, and being truthful and trustworthy where he was known as As-Sadiq Al-Amin s.a.w. 

Read: Addressing Misconceptions: Islam and Diversity

The Quran’s First Revelation

The story of the Quran’s first revelation was narrated in detail by Aisyah r.a. as recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

فَكانَ يَأْتي حِرَاءً فَيَتَحَنَّثُ فِيهِ - وهو التَّعَبُّدُ اللَّيَالِيَ ذَوَاتِ العَدَدِ - ويَتَزَوَّدُ لذلكَ، ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إلى خَدِيجَةَ فَتُزَوِّدُهُ لِمِثْلِهَا، حتَّى فَجِئَهُ الحَقُّ وهو في غَارِ حِرَاءٍ، فَجَاءَهُ المَلَكُ فِيهِ، فَقالَ: اقْرَأْ، فَقالَ له النَّبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: فَقُلتُ: ما أنَا بقَارِئٍ، فأخَذَنِي فَغَطَّنِي حتَّى بَلَغَ مِنِّي الجَهْدُ، ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَنِي فَقالَ: اقْرَأْ، فَقُلتُ: ما أنَا بقَارِئٍ، فأخَذَنِي فَغَطَّنِي الثَّانِيَةَ حتَّى بَلَغَ مِنِّي الجَهْدُ، ثُمَّ أرْسَلَنِي فَقالَ: اقْرَأْ، فَقُلتُ: ما أنَا بقَارِئٍ، فأخَذَنِي فَغَطَّنِي الثَّالِثَةَ حتَّى بَلَغَ مِنِّي الجَهْدُ، ثُمَّ أرْسَلَنِي فَقالَ: "اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ" حتَّى بَلَغَ "عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ" (العلق:1 - 5). فَرَجَعَ بهَا تَرْجُفُ بَوَادِرُهُ، حتَّى دَخَلَ علَى خَدِيجَةَ، فَقالَ: زَمِّلُونِي زَمِّلُونِي، فَزَمَّلُوهُ حتَّى ذَهَبَ عنْه الرَّوْعُ، فَقالَ: يا خَدِيجَةُ، ما لي؟ وأَخْبَرَهَا الخَبَرَ، وقالَ: قدْ خَشِيتُ علَى نَفْسِي، فَقالَتْ له: كَلَّا، أبْشِرْ، فَوَاللَّهِ لا يُخْزِيكَ اللَّهُ أبَدًا؛ إنَّكَ لَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ، وتَصْدُقُ الحَدِيثَ، وتَحْمِلُ الكَلَّ، وتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وتُعِينُ علَى نَوَائِبِ الحَقِّ

“He used to go into seclusion at (the cave of) Hira where he used to worship (Allah Alone) continuously for many (days) nights. He used to take with him the journey food for that (stay) and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again for another period to stay, till suddenly the Truth (revelation) descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira.

The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet s.a.w. replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ (The Prophet s.a.w.) added), ‘The angel held me and squeezed me so hard that I could not bear it anymore. He then released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read,’ whereupon he held me again and squeezed me a second time till I could not bear it anymore. He then released me and asked me again to read, but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or, what shall I read?).’ Thereupon, he held me for the third time and squeezed me and then released me and said, ‘Read: In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)..’  up to ‘..taught humanity what they knew not.’ (Surah Al-’Alaq, 96:1-5)

Then Rasulullah s.a.w. returned as he trembled in shock till he entered upon Khadijah and said, ‘Cover me! Cover me!’ They covered him till his fear was over. Then he said, ‘O Khadija, what is happening with me?’ Then he told her everything that had happened and said, ’I fear that something may happen to me.’ Khadija said, ’Never (fear)! But have the glad tidings, for by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you as you keep good relations kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guest generously and assist those (deserving of help) afflicted in calamity."

(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Read: The History of The Quran: Nuzul Quran

Jabal (Mountain) Nur, where the Cave of Hira is located.

Here are four insights from this pivotal event in Islamic history.

1. Solitude and Reflection

Amidst the busy city of Makkah, the Prophet s.a.w. sought solace in his solitude, a practice observed by previous prophets a.s, as recorded in the Quran when Prophet Ibrahim a.s. said:

وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَى أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا 

“As I distance myself from (all of) you and from whatever you invoke besides Allah, I will (continue to) call upon my Lord (alone), trusting that I will never be disappointed in invoking my Lord.”

(Surah Maryam, 19:48)

Being in the state of solitude offers several benefits:

● Forgiveness and Great Reward: 

Allah s.w.t says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ

"Indeed, those in awe of their Lord without seeing Him (and in private) will have forgiveness and a mighty reward."

(Surah Al-Mulk, 67:12)

● Protection Under Allah's Shade in the Hereafter:

سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ الله فِي ظِلِّهِ يَومَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلّهُ‏: … وَرَجُلٌ ذَكَر اللهَ خَالِياً فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ

"Seven (types of people) whom Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there is no shade except His shade:… and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful."

(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

● Acquisition of Knowledge: Imam Al-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Whoever wishes that Allah should open his heart and bestow upon him knowledge, let him be in solitude, eat less, and avoid the company of the ignorant, and some of the learned who are not just and do not have good manners." (Bustān Al-‘Ārifīn by Imam Al-Nawawi, p. 47)

● Various Benefits as Mentioned by Ibn ‘Ajibah: Ibn ‘Ajibah mentioned ten benefits of solitude, including safety from the ills of the tongue and gaze. (Iqadh Al-Himam Fi Sharh Al-Hikam by Ahmad Ibn ‘Ajibah, vol. 1, p. 30) 

Read: The Quran: Our Ultimate Source of Guidance

Contextual Solitude and Reflection

In today's fast-paced world, there is still room for reflection and solitude, despite the constant demands of our time. Ibn ‘Ajibah explains that solitude is both physical seclusion and the isolation of the heart with Allah. It helps free the heart and mind for contemplation, which leads to acquiring and establishing knowledge.¹

In our busy lives, we can incorporate moments of solitude by:

● Quiet Time: Dedicate specific times in the day for solitude, such as early mornings or late nights, for prayer, reflection or reading the Quran.

● Digital Detox: Regularly disconnect from digital devices to reduce distractions and create a peaceful environment for reflection.

● Nature Walks: Spend time in nature, away from the hustle and bustle, to find tranquillity and connect with Allah’s creations.

By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we can emulate the Prophet’s example of seeking solitude and reflection, enhancing our spiritual well-being while fulfilling our worldly responsibilities. For more tips, consider reading this article on Muslim.Sg: ‘Overcoming the Feeling of Loss and Purposelessness in Life’.

2. Read and Empower

In Islam, knowledge is highly esteemed and integral to faith. The hadith about the Quran's first revelation in the Cave of Hira to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. emphasises the command and need to "Read" (اقرأ), a process of learning and acquiring knowledge. 

This event also demonstrates that the Prophet’s means of acquiring knowledge were unlike anyone else’s. Prophet Muhammad did not read as commanded by the angel Jibril a.s, but received divine knowledge revealed to him. This underscores the truth that the Quran is not a duplication or transcription of past scriptures and human knowledge.

The revelation, "Read in the Name of your Lord, Who has created," emphasises the importance for humanity in seeking knowledge to understand both the Creator and the universe. Although the Prophet s.a.w. initially questioned the event, Khadijah’s reassurance about the experience, based on the Prophet’s character – his honesty, support for the needy, and assistance to the afflicted –demonstrates that knowledge in Islam is closely linked to ethical conduct.

In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), knowledge must be pursued with ethical considerations:

● Ethical Foundation: Knowledge should uphold ethical standards, ensuring AI benefits humanity and avoids harm.

● Purpose and Intention: Seek knowledge for societal benefit and a deeper understanding of Allah’s creation, not for selfish gains.

● Human Dignity: Apply knowledge to respect human dignity, promote social welfare, and address inequalities.

In summary, the pursuit of knowledge in the AI era should be guided by ethical principles, altruistic intentions, respect for human dignity, continuous learning, and a balance between personal growth and social responsibility.

3. Resilience and Support

As shown in the hadith on the first revelation, Khadijah r.a. played a crucial role when Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. received his first revelation from Allah s.w.t. through Jibril a.s. Her support was essential during this overwhelming moment:

● Emotional Support: Khadijah’s calm presence and comforting words eased the Prophet’s s.a.w fear. She listened, covered him and offered reassurance.

● Validation and Reassurance: She affirmed his character and good deeds, reinforcing his confidence in his mission. Her faith in his integrity and the divine purpose was a crucial support.

● Faith and Conviction: Khadijah’s r.a. belief in Allah and in the Prophet’s s.a.w mission provided a strong foundation for him to continue his work.

Read: 4 Women of Paradise

4. The Prophet’s Resilience

Despite the shock of the revelation, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. showed remarkable resilience:

● Facing Fear: Initially in a state of shock, he sought comfort from Khadijah r.a, showing his readiness to confront and manage his fear through the support of others.

● Commitment: He embraced his role as the Messenger of Allah s.a.w, displaying unwavering determination despite the challenges.

● Perseverance: The Prophet continued his mission with steadfast resolve, overcoming numerous obstacles.

Relating to Today’s Context:

● Support and Comfort: Just as Khadijah r.a. supported the Prophet s.a.w, offering emotional support is crucial in our relationships and communities.

● Resilience: The Prophet’s resilience teaches us to stay strong in adversity. In today’s fast-paced world, being resilient helps us face personal and professional challenges effectively.

By embracing the lessons from Khadijah r.a. and the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, we can build supportive relationships and remain resilient in the face of difficulties. 

Read: 13 Things You Need to Know About Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 

Conclusion

The Quran's first revelation to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. in the Cave of Hira marked a transformative episode in the Prophet’s life and the history of humankind. The support of loved ones and the profound impact of divine guidance are timeless lessons from this event. In our life today, these lessons inspire us to seek moments of reflection, cherish supportive relationships, and remain open to the guidance that can lead to personal and spiritual growth. 

This momentous event not only serves as the building brick of Islam but also a reminder that divine inspiration and upholding faith can shape our paths, along with the support of our loved ones, to provide the strength needed to pursue life despite its challenges with resilience.

And Allah knows best.

Reference

¹ Ibn ‘Ajibah, in explaining Ibn 'Ata'illah words,

ما نفعَ القلبَ شيءٌ مثلُ عُزلةٍ يدخل بها مَيْدانَ فكرة

“Nothing benefits the heart like a seclusion wherein it enters the domain of reflection,”

He said: “Solitude is the isolation of the heart with Allah. It can also mean physical seclusion from people, which is what is meant here …The purpose of solitude is to free the heart, and the goal of freeing the heart is to enable the heart to wander and the mind to engage in contemplation. The aim of engaging in contemplation is to acquire knowledge and establish it firmly in the heart. The firm establishment of knowledge about Allah in the heart is its cure and the pinnacle of its health, which Allah has referred to as the qalbun salim (pure heart).”

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