Muhammad (sas) was now over thirty years of age. Love of God began to possess him more and more. He began to devote most of his time to prayers and meditation. In those days Arab society had become extremely corrupt. People used to worship idols. It is said that there were three hundred and sixty idols placed in and around the Ka‘bah. The monotheistic religion of their great ancestor, Prophet Ibraaheem, may peace be upon him, was largely forgotten. Arabs used to indulge in many vices like adultery, drinking, gambling, plunder, murder and many other illicit practices. Muhammad (sas) was deeply hurt to see the mischievous deeds of the people of Makkah and the moral and spiritual decline into which the people had fallen. There was no way of rescuing them except through Divine guidance and help. He, therefore, chose a place of solitude and retreat in the Cave of Hira, about three miles outside the city. This was on top of a hill, a sort of cave, shaped out of stone. He used to go there alone or sometimes with Khadijah (ra) and spend several days and nights in meditation. Khadijah (ra) used to prepare enough food for him to last for several days so that he could worship God day and night.
When Muhammad (sas) was forty years old, he saw a vision. It was on a Monday in the last ten days of the month of Ramadhaan. As he was engaged in worship, he saw someone present in the cave. It was the angel Jibraa’eel, who commanded him to recite. Muhammad (sas) replied that he did not know what or how to recite. Thereupon, the angel clasped him to its bosom and squeezed him hard. Jibraa’eel then released him and directed him again to recite. Muhammad (sas) gave him the same reply. The angel squeezed him for the second time and asked him to recite. Again Muhammad (sas) gave the same answer. After the third embrace the angel released Muhammad (sas) and directed,
Recite in the name of your Lord Who created. Created man from an adhesive clot. Recite! And your Lord is the Noblest, Who taught by the pen. Taught man what he knew not. (Surah al-‘Alaq, 96:2-6)
These verses, the first ever revealed to the Holy Prophet (sas), became part of the Holy Quran, as did other verses, which were revealed later.
Muhammad (sas) repeated the words as commanded. The angel then disappeared. Muhammad (sas) was full of anxiety because of the responsibility that Allah was about to place on him. He went home immediately and said to Khadijah (ra), ‘Wrap me up. Wrap me up with something.’
After a while when his anxiety had somewhat subsided he related the whole incident to her and summed up his fears, saying, ‘Weak man that I am, how can I carry the responsibility which Allah proposes to put on my shoulders.’
Khadijah (ra) replied, ‘God is witness, He has not sent you this Word that you should fail and prove unworthy, that He should then give you up. How can God do such a thing to you? You are kind and considerate to your relations. You help the poor and bear their burden. You try to restore the virtues that have disappeared from society. You honour guests and help those who are in difficulty. Can you be subjected by God to any trial?’
She then suggested that they should go to her cousin Waraqah bin Naufal, a Christian hermit, and consult him. Waraqah was an old man. He was an expert in Hebrew language and had very good knowledge of the Scriptures. When Waraqah heard the details of the incident, he said, ‘I am sure the angel, who used to descend on Moses, had descended on you. I wish I would be alive to give you my support when your people will turn you out of your homeland.’
‘Will they indeed expel me?’ The Holy Prophet (sas) asked in great surprise.
The Christian hermit said, ‘There has been no Messenger who has not been opposed by his people. If I survive till that time, I shall help you with all my strength.’ However Waraqah was unable to witness those days as he lived only a short time thereafter.
Hazrat Khadijah (ra) was the first person to believe in the Holy Prophet (sas). She had witnessed his purity and greatness in his youth and had spent fifteen years in his company. She, therefore, accepted him without any hesitation. She was very fortunate, as Islam, the religion of peace, started in her house.
Ali, who was ten years old at that time and Zaid, the freed slave of the Holy Prophet (sas), were both members of his family. They also believed in him, the moment he announced his mission.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who became Khalifah after the death of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was a close friend of the Holy Prophet (sas). He lived in the same part of the town in which Hazrat Khadijah (ra) and the Holy Prophet (sas) lived. He, too, accepted the claim of the Holy Prophet (sas) without any hesitation.
Among other earliest converts was Zubair. He was the son of Hazrat Khadijah’s (ra) brother ‘Awwaam and the Holy Prophet’s (sas) aunt Safiyah and was fifteen years old.
This small group of early believers resolved that they would help the Holy Prophet (sas) in preaching Islam. As a result Islam began to spread slowly and steadily in Makkah.