The Revelation of the Qur'an

The First Revelation

In Ramadan 610 CE, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was in his customary retreat in the Cave of Hira on Jabal al-Nur when the angel Jibrail appeared and commanded him: Iqra — Read, or Recite. The first revealed verses were Surah Al-Alaq (96:1-5). Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) returned home trembling and was comforted by his wife Khadijah (رضي الله عنها), who took him to her cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal, a Christian scholar who confirmed from his knowledge of scripture that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had received divine revelation.

The Nature of Qur'anic Revelation

The Qur'an is the direct, literal word of Allah — not the Prophet's own words, thoughts or interpretations. This is a foundational belief in Sunni Islam and must be clearly understood. The revelation came through Jibrail over 23 years (610–632 CE), with Makkan surahs focusing on Tawhid and the Day of Judgement, and Madinan surahs addressing law, community life and governance. The final verse revealed was Surah 5:3 at the Farewell Pilgrimage, completing the religion.

Laylat al-Qadr — The Night of Decree

Laylat al-Qadr, described in Surah 97 as better than a thousand months, is the night on which the Qur'an was first sent down. It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) encouraged his companions to seek it, particularly on the odd nights. This night is connected directly to the obligation of fasting in Ramadan (Topic 3.3) as it was during Ramadan that Allah chose to begin sending His final revelation to mankind.

Preservation and Compilation

During the Prophet's lifetime (صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Qur'an was both memorised by companions and written on available materials. After his death, Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) commissioned Zaid ibn Thabit to compile it into a single written text, prompted by the deaths of many huffaz at the Battle of Yamama. Later, Uthman (رضي الله عنه) standardised the text into the Uthmanic codex and sent copies to major Muslim centres, with other variant copies destroyed to prevent dispute. This is the Qur'an Muslims use worldwide today — unchanged and perfectly preserved, fulfilling Allah's promise in Surah 15:9.

Aqeedah Note

A key point of Salafi belief: the Qur'an is the speech of Allah, revealed to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) through Jibrail, written in the masahif and preserved in the hearts of the huffaz. It is not created — this was the position affirmed by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله) against the Mu'tazilite view. Additionally, the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) as a messenger carrying a message — he did not mix with or become one with Allah. Allah is above His creation, above His Throne, and the revelation came down through Jibrail as a means, not as Allah descending into creation.

Exam Focus

For the (c) explain question on the significance of the Night of Power, give three developed points: it was when Allah's guidance first came to humanity; it established Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) as the final prophet; and it confirmed the Qur'an as complete divine guidance. For the (d) assess question using Surah 97, argue both sides — the Qur'an as complete guidance (agree) versus the necessity of the Sunnah to interpret and apply it (disagree). Always give your own reasoned conclusion.