Revelation of Quran (610 - 32AD)

Question 1

Give a summary of the first revelation.

Answer 1

• At 40, the prophet started retiring in the Cave of Hira outside Makkah.
• Angel Jibrael appeared before him and asked him to read thrice. After which, the Angel recited the following five verses of Surah Alaq/Iqra: “Read in the name of your Lord and Cherisher who created, created man out of a clot of congealed blood. Proclaim and your Lord is the most bountiful. He who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not.”
• From 610AD onwards, he continued to receive revelations for 22 years 5 months, and 15 days

Question 2

How long did the revelation stop and what is this known as?

Answer 2

• Revelation stopped for 6 months which made the prophet worry.
• Known as Fatrah tul wahi (break/interval)

Question 3

What did the Quran say after the revelations came back strongly and were not under the prophet’s control?

Answer 3

• Once they started again they came strongly and frequently.
  They were not within his control, he had no idea when they were coming and God safeguarded them.
• The Quran says, “Move not your tongue with it, (O Muhammad), to hasten with recitation of the Quran. Indeed
  upon us is its collection and its recitation. So when we have recited it (through Jabriel), then follow its recitation. Then upon us is its clarification (to you)”

Question 4

What sensations did the prophet experience?

Answer 4

• When a revelation came, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) experienced different sensations.
• He heard ringing sounds, he perspired in the cold; he became so heavy

Question 5

In what forms did angel Jibrael come?

Answer 5

• Angel Jibrail would also come in human form in the appearance of Prophet’s companion Dahya Qalbi.
• A few times the Prophet saw the Angel in his original form, e.g. on the night journey (sura Najm).

Question 6

In what scenarios did the prophet receive revelations?

Answer 6

• He also received revelation in dreams.
• He also received revelation directly from God during the night journey(Last 2 verses of surah Baqarah)

Question 7

What did the prophet reply with after being asked how a revelation comes to him by a companion? What is Aisha’s take on this?

Answer 7

• “It comes to me sometimes as the ringing of a bell and this is hardest on me, then he leaves me and I remember from
  him what he says and sometimes the Angel comes in the shape of a man and he talks to me and I remember what
  he says.”
• Hazrat Aisha reports, ‘‘ I saw revelations coming down upon him in the severest cold, and when that condition was
  over, perspiration ran down his forehead.’’

Question 8

What did Zayd bin Thabit say about the prophet receiving revelations?

Answer 8

” When the revelation came to him he felt intense heat and drops of sweat used to roll down his body like pearls. When this state was over I used to get a shoulder bone. He used to go on dictating and I used to write it down. When I finished writing the sheer weight of transcription gave me the feeling that my leg would break and I would not be able to walk anymore”

Question 9

Revelations received in Makkah from 610 to 622 are known as what? How many surahs were revealed during this period?

Answer 9

• Makkah during 610 to 622 are known as Makkan surahs
• 86 surahs revealed during this period