First Revelation at Cave Hira

During one of his regular retreats to Cave Hira on Mount Nur near Mecca, Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran. The archangel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared and commanded him to “Read” (Iqra). When Muhammad replied he could not read, Gabriel embraced him tightly three times, then revealed the first verses: “Read in the name of your Lord who created—created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous” (Quran 96:1-3).

Shaken by the encounter, Muhammad returned to his wife Khadijah, who comforted him and took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who recognized the angel as the same who had appeared to Moses. This night, known as Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power), began the 23-year process of Quranic revelation.