Al-Lu'lu Wal-Marjan 99 — The Book of Belief (Faith)

A'isha Narrated from:

The commencement of the (Divine) Inspiration to Allāh's Messenger ﷺ was in the form of righteous good (true) dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hirā' where he used to worship (Allāh Alone) continuously for many nights before returning to (or his desire to see) his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadīja رضي الله عنها to take his food likewise again till suddenly, the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hirā'.The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet ﷺ replied, "I do not know how to read." The Prophet ﷺ added, "Then the angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read, again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon, he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said,'Read in the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists). Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.' " (96:1-3)Then Allāh's Messenger ﷺ returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadīja bint Khuwailid رضي الله عنها and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" She covered him till his fear was over and after that he told Khadîja everything that had happened (and said), "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadîja replied, "Never! By Allâh, Allâh will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones." Khadîja رضي الله عنها then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the Period of Ignorance became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allâh عزوجل wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadîja said to Waraqa, "O my cousin! Listen to (the story of) your nephew," Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one [who keeps the secrets i.e. angel Jibrael (Gabriel) [عليه السلام] whom Allâh had sent to Mûsa (Moses). I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day (when you will be turned out) then I would support you strongly." ( Sahih Al-Bukhârî, Hadith No. 3 (A), Vol. 1 )