The first revelation of the Qur’an began with the command “Read in the name of your Lord who created” in Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1–5), emphasizing knowledge, creation, and divine guidance, while the last verse revealed was Surah Al-Baqarah (2:281) – “And fear the Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.”
The last verse of Quran revealed just nine days before the Prophet’s passing. It serves as a reminder of ultimate accountability. Together, the first and last revelations frame the Qur’an’s message: it begins with a call to seek knowledge and ends with a call to prepare for the Day of Return to Allah, uniting intellectual pursuit with spiritual responsibility.
When Was the First Verse of the Quran Revealed?
What Are the First Five Verses of the Quran?
The first five verses of the Qur’an are found in Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1–5), revealed in the Cave of Hira and marking the beginning of prophethood. These verses proclaim: “Recite in the name of your Lord who created, Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” They emphasize creation, divine knowledge, and the gift of instruction, with the term ‘alaq (clinging substance) interpreted by classical scholars as a stage of human origin and, in light of modern understanding, associated with early embryonic development.
These opening verses highlight the Qur’an’s central role in promoting knowledge, literacy, and divine guidance. The command to “read” (iqra’) and the reference to the pen underscore Islam’s elevation of learning as a spiritual duty. Their eloquent linguistic structure, revealed in classical Arabic, set the unmatched standard for the Qur’an’s style (i‘jaz al-Qur’an). Early scholars, including Ibn Abbas, viewed these verses as the cornerstone of revelation, establishing both the theological and intellectual foundation of Islam.
Where Was the First Revelation Received?
The first revelation was received by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Cave of Hira, situated on Jabal al-Nour (the Mountain of Light) near Makkah. Before his prophethood, the Prophet would often retreat to this cave for solitude, reflection, and worship away from the idolatry of the Quraysh. It was in this state of seclusion that the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared and commanded him to “Read” (Iqra’), marking the beginning of the Qur’anic revelation with the first five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq. The cave’s quiet isolation provided the setting for this profound encounter, which initiated Muhammad’s mission as the final messenger of Islam.
The event tied Makkah’s spiritual significance to the birth of Islam, making the Cave of Hira a lasting symbol of divine guidance and revelation. While the Qur’an itself does not name the location, early Islamic sources, including hadith reports in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, confirm its association with the first revelation. Today, the site remains a place of pilgrimage for Muslims who wish to reflect on the origins of Islam’s monotheistic message.
Who Witnessed or Supported Muhammad After the First Revelation?
Khadijah, Muhammad’s wife, and Waraqa bin Naufal, her cousin, were the first to support him after the initial revelation. Muhammad returned from the cave trembling and sought comfort from Khadijah, who reassured him of his moral character and divine favor. She later took him to Waraqa, a Christian scholar familiar with scriptures.
Waraqa identified Gabriel as the same angel who had visited Moses and predicted Muhammad would face opposition from his tribe. This early validation strengthened Muhammad’s resolve and confirmed the continuity of monotheistic prophecy. Hadiths in Sahih al-Bukhari document these events, highlighting their reliability.
How Did the Revelation Process Begin?
The revelation began with Muhammad experiencing true dreams for six months before Gabriel’s appearance. These dreams were later understood as preparatory signs for prophethood. When Gabriel first commanded Muhammad to recite, Muhammad responded, “I cannot read,” leading the angel to press him forcefully three times before the verses were imprinted in his heart.
This interaction established the mode of Quranic revelation, where Gabriel transmitted verses orally, and Muhammad memorized and recited them. The Quran’s preservation relied on memorization and scribal recording by companions like Zayd ibn Thabit. The process continued intermittently until Muhammad’s death in 632 CE.
What Was the Historical Context of the First Revelation?
Mecca in 610 CE was a polytheistic society dominated by tribal customs and the Quraysh leadership. The city’s Kaaba housed multiple idols, and the revelation’s monotheistic message challenged these traditions. Abu Jahl, a prominent Quraysh leader, later opposed Muhammad, threatening him for preaching in the Kaaba.
The first verses directly confronted Meccan paganism by affirming God’s role as creator and teacher. This marked the start of Islam’s transformative impact on Arabian society. Early Islamic sources, including Ibn Ishaq’s biographies, detail these socio-political dynamics.
What Is the Significance of Laylat al-Qadr in the First Revelation?
Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) is the night the Quran’s revelation began, occurring during Ramadan. Islamic tradition holds that this night is better than a thousand months in spiritual value. The Quran’s descent from the preserved tablet (Lawh al-Mahfuz) to the lowest heaven (Baitul Izzah) is believed to have happened on this night.
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is unspecified, but the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th nights of Ramadan are emphasized. This event underscores Ramadan’s centrality in Islamic worship and Quranic recitation. Muslims worldwide commemorate it through extended prayers (Tarawih) and Quranic study.
What Were the Last Verses Revealed in the Quran?
The final verse revealed was Surah Al-Baqarah 2:281, warning of the Day of Judgment, on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah 10 AH (March 632 CE). Other opinions cite Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3, which declares the completion of Islam, as the last revelation. These verses marked the conclusion of the Quranic message 23 years after the first revelation.
The final verses reinforced core Islamic doctrines, including accountability and divine favor. Their timing coincided with Muhammad’s Farewell Pilgrimage, symbolizing the completion of his prophethood. Early compilers like Zayd ibn Thabit verified the sequence of revelations during the Quran’s codification under Abu Bakr.
How Was the Quran Preserved After the Revelations?
The Quran was preserved through oral memorization and written records during Muhammad’s lifetime. Companions like Zayd ibn Thabit transcribed verses on parchment, bones, and palm leaves. After Muhammad’s death, Abu Bakr commissioned the first compiled manuscript, which Uthman later standardized into the Uthmanic codex.
The Hafs recitation, with 6,236 verses, became the dominant version. Early manuscripts like the Sana’a fragments and the Birmingham Quran validate the text’s consistency. This dual oral-written preservation ensured the Quran’s accuracy across centuries.
What Is the Linguistic and Scientific Significance of Surah Al-Alaq?
Surah Al-Alaq’s use of the term “ʻalaq” (clinging clot) aligns with modern embryology, describing the early embryonic stage. This scientific precision, noted by researchers like Dr. Keith Moore, highlights the Quran’s unique knowledge. The surah’s literary style, revealed to an illiterate prophet, further demonstrates its divine origin.
The emphasis on reading and the pen in the first verses fostered an Islamic tradition of scholarship. Classical Arabic grammarians like Sibawayh studied the Quran’s language as the pinnacle of eloquence. These elements solidified the Quran’s status as a linguistic and intellectual miracle.