In the cave came the first revelation to the Prophet. In the stillness of solitude he was entrusted with the message that came to culminate ¹ all previous revelations and to shake the world to the significance of servitude ² to Allah.

The impact of Divine revelation on the human body was of such magnitude that the Prophet was terrified and he ran back home, where he told his wife to cover him. When he regained his calmness, he told Khadijah what he had seen and heard. She comforted him and told him that he is the Prophet of this nation. Then she rose and went to her cousin Waraqah, who was a Christian, and told him what had happened to her husband. The old man said, "Surely, by Him in whose Hand is Waraqah's self, if you have spoken to me the truth, O Khadijah, there has come to him the greatest Namus (meaning Jibril) who had come to Musa (Moses) before, and he is the Prophet of his people." Later on, when the Prophet saw Waraqah in the Mosque, he told the Prophet, "You will be called a liar, and you will be persecuted. I hope I will be alive when your people will force you out of your city."

To this the Prophet asked in surprise, "Will they force me out?" and Waraqah answered, "No man has ever come with similar revelations but was persecuted." The second revelation to the Prophet began with the mention of "The Pen," and comforted the Prophet by reassuring him that he is not a mad man, and that he is of magnificent character. This was followed by two surahs urging him to rise up, purify ³ himself and his clothes, to worship Allah, and be steadfastly patient in His worship. These are Al-Muddaththir", and "Al-Muzzammil," where he is enjoined to perform night prayers, and to recite the Qur'an in preparation for the heavy burden ⁴ of calling people back to their Creator.

The fifth surah to be revealed was "the Opening."

"In the name of Allah, the Infinite Mercy, the Most merciful" (1)

"Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds" (2)

"The Infinite Mercy, the Most Merciful" (3)

"Owner of the Day of Judgement" (4)

"You (alone) we worship and You (alone) we ask for aid" (5)

"Guide us to the straight path" (6)

"The path of those whom You have favoured, not (the path) of those who earn Your anger nor of those who are erring." (7)

With these revelations came the institution of purification ⁵ and prayer, taught by Jibril to the Prophet. Among the first converts were Khadijah, `Ali Abu Bakr and `Uthman, who took upon themselves to learn the new Qur'anic revelations and used them in their prayers led by the Prophet.