THM Sadaqa Group

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh

The First of the Qur`aan to be Revealed

The first verses of the Qur`aan to be individually revealed, as unanimously agreed upon, were the first five ayaat of Surah al-Alaaq, 96:1 - 5; then the revealtion ceased for a short time. Later the first five ayaat of Surah al-Muddaththir, 74:1 - 5; were revealed.

It has been reported in the authentic collections of Saheeh al-Bukhaari and in Saheeh Muslim, that Aisha (radiAllahu anhaa) said regarding the beginning of revelation:

"The truth (revelation) came while he (Muhammad sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallaam) was in the Cave of Hiraa. An angel came and said, "Read." So the prophet (sallaAllahu alaihi wa sallaam) said, "I cannot read..." to the end of the hadith (see pages 26 - 28

In another hadith recorded in the authentic collections we have the Hadith of Jaabir, that says: Aboo Salamah ibn Abdur Rahmaan asked him, "What part of the Qur`aan was revealed first?", So Jaabir replied: "Oh you Muhammad wrapped (in garments)." from Surah al-Muddaththir 74:1

Notes within text:

Within this hadeeth reported by Aisha, the wording is: "The first of what was revealed..." However, what is meant is the first revelation regarding something specific (Muhammad and his circumstances). This is because we have another Hadeeth of Jaabir also recorded in the Saheehain.

So what Jaabir (radiAllahu anhu) mentioned of the verses being the first of revelation is with regards to the first after the initial beginning of the inspiration, or the first revelation explicitly relating to the prophet's messengership; and the first revealed verses of surah al-Alaaq established his prophethood.

Read for additional benefits and details on pages 25 -30, nice clarification mashaAllah.