The first revelation of Prophet Muhammad happened in the Cave of Hira near Makkah. At that time, Prophet Muhammad often went there to pray and think about life. He was about 40 years old.

One night, the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) came to him and said, “Read!” Prophet Muhammad replied that he could not read. The angel repeated the command three times. Then Angel Jibril recited the first verses of the Qur’an:

“Read in the name of your Lord who created.
Created man from a clot.
Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous.
Who taught by the pen.
Taught man what he did not know.”
(Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Alaq 96:1–5)

After this event, Prophet Muhammad felt afraid and hurried home. His wife, Khadijah, comforted him and believed in him. This moment was the beginning of his mission as the last Messenger of Allah.