The First Revelation in Cave Hira

In his fortieth year, Muhammad ﷺ would retreat for seclusion and worship (tahannuth) in the solitude of Cave Hira on Mount Al-Nur. On a blessed night in Ramadan (Laylat al-Qadr), Archangel Jibril appeared and commanded: 'Iqra!' (Read!). He replied: 'I cannot read.' Jibril embraced him firmly three times, until he could bear no more, then revealed the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq: 'Read in the name of your Lord who created — Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous — Who taught by the pen — Taught man that which he knew not.' Shaken with awe, he returned to Khadijah saying: 'Zammiluni! Zammiluni!' (Cover me! Cover me!).