30 Day Ramadan Challenge 2025

As-salamu alaykum everyone!

Until now, we have been reflecting on the beautiful verses of Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening of the Qur’an. But from today onwards, we will begin a new chapter in this journey, following the chronological order of revelation.

And so, we return to the very first moment of divine revelation, to a night in the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the words that would forever change the course of human history.

Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1) – The First Verse of Revelation

ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

Iqra’ bismi rabbika allathee khalaq

(Read with the name of your Lord who created.)

The Prophet ﷺ was 40 years old when he developed a deep yearning for solitude and reflection. The society of Mecca had become morally bankrupt—idolatry, tribal conflicts, oppression of the weak, and the dominance of the wealthy had created a world where truth seemed lost. But the Prophet ﷺ was not like the others. He sought something greater.

And so, he began to withdraw from the distractions of Mecca, seeking peace in the Cave of Hira, a small opening in the mountains above the city. Night after night, he would sit alone in deep thought, gazing at the vast desert sky, contemplating life, justice, and the One True Creator.

The Quraysh called him Al-Amin, the most trustworthy, but even they could not understand his heart. He was not searching for power, nor wealth, nor status. He was searching for truth.

Yet, he had no idea that truth was about to find him.

It was a quiet night, like many before it. The cave was dark, silent, and still.

Then, without warning, everything changed.

A presence filled the cave.

It was sudden. Overwhelming. There was no time to react, no way to escape.

A powerful figure stood before him, radiating an intensity unlike anything he had ever known. The darkness of the cave was replaced by a brilliant light. The silence was shattered by a single, commanding word:

"Iqra’."

The Prophet ﷺ froze. His heart pounded in his chest. His mind raced, trying to comprehend the enormity of what was happening.

"I am not one who reads," he managed to say.

But the figure did not leave.

Instead, he stepped forward, embraced him with a force beyond human strength, and repeated:

"Iqra’."

Again, the Prophet ﷺ responded: "I am not one who reads."

The presence grew stronger, the weight upon him unbearable. Then, for the third time, the figure embraced him tightly and, in a voice that shook the very core of existence, revealed:

"Read with the name of your Lord who created."

In that moment, the world changed forever.

This account is based on narrations from Sahih Al-Bukhari (Hadith 3) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 160).

To be continued...

What does this moment mean to you? How do you reflect on the command ‘Read with the name of your Lord who created’?

Let’s reflect together. ❤️

Disclaimer: This is not a formal tafsir, nor do I claim to have scholarly knowledge. I am simply reflecting on the Qur’an using resources available to me, with the intention of understanding and connecting with it on a deeper level. If I make any mistakes, may Allah guide me, and I welcome corrections from those with more knowledge. My only goal is to grow closer to the Qur’an and to learn together with this beautiful community, insha’Allah.