796 - AL ALAQ (Ayat# 01-08)
The initial revelation of the Quran occurred through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) around the age of forty. This first communication, consisting of the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq, took place in the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet frequently engaged in contemplation and reflection. Accounts indicate that the Prophet was in a state between wakefulness and sleep when receiving this divine message. The angel instructed him to ‘Read!’ (Iqra), and the revelation was imparted both through verbal communication and through the inscription of the verses upon a golden tablet. This event marks the beginning of the Prophet’s prophethood and the transmission of divine guidance. The experience initially caused a sense of awe and even fear, but ultimately led to the acceptance of this momentous responsibility. This foundational moment established the means by which subsequent revelations would be received, and it is crucial to understanding the origins of the Quranic text. The certainty of accountability in the afterlife is presented as the ultimate remedy to moral decline and injustice.
