Part One: SEERAH (Biographical Sketch) CHAPTER

C:\Users\Admin\Dropbox\The Message - Material of Maulana\16. Books and Review\Apa's Books\Life And 18 The Prophet’s quest had finally been rewarded. God granted him guidance and chose him as His Prophet. The angel said to him “Read.” The Prophet replied, “I do not know how to read.” Then Muhammad felt that his body was being squeezed hard. Then the angel released him and repeated the same command. Again Muhammad replied that he did not know how to recite. Then the angel again squeezed him and then released him for the third time and said: Read!” Then a change came over him and he was able to repeat the divine words. Then Gabriel revealed to him the chapter Al-Alaq. “Recite in the name of your Lord, who created; who created man from a clot of blood; Recite, and your Lord is the most Gracious. It is He who has taught man by the pen that which he did not know.” (96:1-5) Muhammad recited these verses repeating them after the angel. Then he found that these words were written on his heart (Ibn Ishaq). The Prophet trembled in fear of what he had seen and heard in the cave. The revelation was totally a new experience for him. He set off for his house immediately after the disappearance of the angel. On reaching home the Prophet asked Khadijah to wrap him in blankets. He was shivering from high fever. When he calmed down, he related the whole incident to her. Khadijah, being very kind and understanding tried her best to assure him. She said: “By Him who dominates Khadijah’s soul, I pray and I hope that you will be the Prophet of this nation. By God, He will not let you down. You are kind to your relations. You speak the truth, you help the poor and bear their burden, you honour guests and help those in distress. Surely God will never let you fail.” Khadijah then suggested that they should go and consult her cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal, who had become a Christian hermit. Waraqa heard the whole account from Muhammad and said: