The Beginning of Revelation

Introduction:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. The beginning of revelation in Islam is considered one of the greatest events in the history of humanity. It marks the moment when the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, received the message of Allah Almighty through the angel Gabriel, the trustworthy bearer of revelation and messenger to the prophets.

Early Revelation and True Dreams:
Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "The first thing with which the Messenger of Allah was sent as a prophet was the true dream. He did not see any dream but it came like the breaking of the dawn" (Sahih Bukhari 4671). In this narration, we understand the details of the beginning of revelation in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, received true dreams during his sleep, and these dreams came to him with clarity and power, similar to the brightness of the morning light.

The Encounter in Cave Hira:
In addition to the true dreams, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to retreat and seclude himself in the Cave of Hira near Makkah. He would spend long nights in this cave engaging in worship. In a significant moment, the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the Cave of Hira. The angel said to him, "Read." The Prophet replied, "I am not a reader." Then the angel Gabriel took hold of him tightly until he reached his limit, and then he released him and said, "Read." The Prophet replied, "I am not a reader." This happened a third time, and then the angel said, "Read in the name of your Lord who created"(Surah Al-Alaq" (Verse 1, Surah 96) (Sahih Bukhari 4671).

Support of Khadijah and the Spread of Islam:
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, returned from this encounter trembling with fear and entered upon his wife Khadijah, saying, "Cover me, cover me." She covered him until his fear subsided. With this momentous event, the message of Islam began, and the Islamic law (Sharia) was established. Revelation continued to descend upon Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and he continued his efforts to spread his message and invite people to Islam.

Conclusion:
This narration, based on Sahih Bukhari, provides important insights into the beginning of revelation in Islam. It highlights the authentic visions received by Prophet Muhammad in his sleep, which were clear and vivid. Furthermore, it underscores the pivotal event of the angel Gabriel's encounter with the Prophet in the Cave of Hira, which marked the starting point of the Islamic law and the beginning of his blessed mission.

Since then, revelation continued to flow and descend upon Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the Islamic faith has spread to this day. Divine revelation is considered a fundamental basis of Islamic belief, serving as the primary source of religious knowledge and guidance for Muslims worldwide. May Allah make us among those who follow His guidance and the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad, and grant us understanding and application of his noble teachings in our lives. He is All-Hearing, All-Answering. Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.