Surah
Juz
This Surah comprises two parts: the first part, consisting of verses 1-5, is widely agreed upon by Islamic scholars to be the very first revelation sent down to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This belief is supported by a hadith narrated by the Prophet's ﷺ wife, Aisha, which is considered highly authentic by scholars like Imam Ahmad, Bukhari, and Muslim. Additionally, accounts from companions such as Ibn Abbas and Abu Musa al-Ashari corroborate this view, stating that these verses were indeed the initial revelation of the Quran. The second part, comprising verses 6-19, was revealed later when the Prophet ﷺ began to perform the prescribed Prayer in the vicinity of the Kaaba, and faced opposition from his adversary, Abu Jahl, who threatened to stop him. The traditionalists have transmitted, through their respective chains of authority, the account of the beginning of revelation, as recounted by Imam Az-Zuhri, who received it from Urwah bin Zubair, who in turn received it from his aunt, Aisha. She narrates that the revelations to the Prophet ﷺ commenced in the form of true or good visions, which appeared as vividly as daylight to him. Subsequently, solitude became dear to him, and he would retreat to the Cave of Hira for worship, staying there for several days and nights with provisions, before returning to Khadijah for resupply. One day, while in the Cave of Hira, revelation unexpectedly descended upon him, and the Angel commanded him to "Read." The Prophet ﷺ, feeling unable to comply, was pressed by the Angel until he relented. After repeating this interaction three times, the Angel conveyed the message "Read in the name of your Lord Who created," until reaching the phrase "what he did not know." Upon returning home to Khadijah trembling with fear, he recounted the experience to her, expressing his apprehension for his life. Khadijah reassured him, citing his virtues and taking him to her cousin, Waraqah bin Naufal, a Christian who recognized the angel as the same being sent to Moses. Waraqah expressed regret at his old age, expressing a desire to support the Prophet ﷺ if he were younger. This account highlights the Prophet's ﷺ intimate awareness of his life and dealings before the angelic encounter, and Waraqah's acknowledgment of the Prophet's ﷺ sublime character, suggesting his suitability for prophethood. The second part of the Surah was revealed when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began performing prayers in the Islamic manner at the Ka'bah, drawing attention to the new religion he had adopted. While others watched with curiosity, Abu Jahl, in his arrogance, threatened and attempted to prevent the Prophet ﷺ from worshipping in this manner. Numerous hadiths narrated Abu Jahl's foolish behaviour, including his declaration that he would trample the Prophet's neck if he caught him in prayer. However, upon approaching the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Jahl retreated, claiming to have seen a terrifying sight. Similarly, another hadith records Abu Jahl's threat to trample the Prophet's ﷺ neck, to which the Prophet ﷺ responded by stating that angels would seize him if he attempted to do so. Another incident occurred at the station of Abraham, where Abu Jahl threatened the Prophet ﷺ, only to be rebuked and challenged by him. These events led to the revelation of verse 6 of the Surah, emphasising humanity's propensity for transgression, and highlighting the Prophet's ﷺ conflict with the pagans as he expressed Islam through prayer.
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