Seerah Streak العربية

The first revelation, the Cave of Hira and the first Muslims

20 questions from the 10 Learn lessons on this topic in Seerah Streak. Every answer comes with its hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

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  1. Before revelation came, the Prophet ﷺ used to spend a number of nights in the cave of Hira, where he practised "tahannuth". What does Aisha's report say this word means?

    1. Fasting
    2. Travelling
    3. Worship
    4. Tending sheep
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Worship

    Aisha's report explains tahannuth as worship: he went out to the cave of Hira to worship for a number of nights.

    فلق الصبح ثم حبب إليه الخلاء وكان يخلو بغار حراء فيتحنث فيه وهو التعبد الليالي ذوات العدد قبل أن ينزع إلى أهله ويتزود لذلك

    He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  2. In the cave of Hira, the angel told the Prophet ﷺ: "Read in the name of your Lord, who has created." According to the verses he recited, what did Allah create man from?

    1. Clay
    2. Dust
    3. A drop of fluid
    4. A clot
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: A clot

    The verses say Allah created man from a clot.

    فقال اقرأ باسم ربك الذي خلق خلق الإنسان من علق اقرأ وربك الأكرم فرجع بها رسول

    Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), created man from a clot.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  3. After the first revelation in the cave of Hira, the Prophet ﷺ told Khadijah he feared for himself. She swore by Allah that Allah would never do what to him?

    1. Abandon him
    2. Punish him
    3. Disgrace him
    4. Forget him
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    Answer: Disgrace him

    Khadijah said: "By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you."

    خديجة كلا والله ما يخزيك الله أبدا إنك لتصل الرحم وتحمل الكل وتكسب المعدوم وتقري الضيف

    Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  4. Khadijah reassured the Prophet ﷺ in Makkah after he returned from the cave of Hira by listing what he does. In Aisha's report, which of these was among the things she listed?

    1. He frees slaves
    2. He visits the sick
    3. He settles disputes between tribes
    4. He hosts his guests generously
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    Answer: He hosts his guests generously

    Khadijah listed that he serves his guests generously, along with other good deeds.

    لتصل الرحم وتحمل الكل وتكسب المعدوم وتقري الضيف وتعين على نوائب الحق فانطلقت به خديجة حتى

    You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  5. In his account of the pause in revelation, the Prophet ﷺ said he heard a voice from the sky while walking and looked up. Where did he see the angel who had come to him in the cave of Hira?

    1. On the roof of the Ka'bah
    2. On the hill of Safa
    3. At the entrance of the cave
    4. On a seat between the sky and the earth
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    Answer: On a seat between the sky and the earth

    He saw the angel sitting on a seat between the sky and the earth.

    بصري قبل السماء فإذا الملك الذي جاءني بحراء قاعد على كرسي بين السماء والأرض فجئثت منه

    I saw the same Angel who came to me in the Cave of Hira', sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4926 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  6. In Jabir ibn Abdullah's report of what the Prophet ﷺ told him, the Prophet ﷺ stayed at Hira, and when his stay was over he came down into the valley. How long did he stay at Hira?

    1. One month
    2. Ten nights
    3. Forty days
    4. One year
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: One month

    He said he stayed at Hira for one month, and when his stay was complete he came down into the valley.

    جابر: أحدثكم ما حدثنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: " جاورت بحراء شهرا، فلما قضيت جواري نزلت فاستبطنت بطن الوادي، فنوديت فنظرت

    Jabir said: I am narrating to you what was narrated to us by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said: I stayed in Hira' for one month and when my stay was completed, I come down and went into the heart of the valley.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 161d · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  7. Ya'la wished to see the Prophet ﷺ when revelation came to him. At which place was the Prophet ﷺ, with some Companions, when a perfumed man came to ask him a question?

    1. Al-Hudaybiyyah
    2. Al-Tan'im
    3. Arafah
    4. Al-Ji'rana
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Al-Ji'rana

    Ya'la saw the Prophet ﷺ while he was at Al-Ji'rana, shaded by a garment, with some of his Companions.

    يعلى كان يقول ليتني أرى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حين ينزل عليه الوحي فلما كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بالجعرانة عليه ثوب قد أظل عليه ومعه ناس من أصحابه إذ جاءه رجل متضمخ بطيب فقال يا رسول

    Narrated Safwan bin Ya`la bin Umaiya:Ya`la used to say, "I wish I could see Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) at the time he is being inspired Divinely." When the Prophet (ﷺ) was at Al-Ji'rana and was shaded by a garment hanging over him and some of his companions were with him, a man perfumed with scent came and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4985 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  8. Ubadah ibn al-Samit reported that when revelation descended on the Prophet ﷺ, what did the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions do?

    1. They lowered their heads
    2. They stood up
    3. They sat down
    4. They raised their hands
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    Answer: They lowered their heads

    Ubadah reported that the Prophet ﷺ lowered his head, and his Companions lowered theirs; when it was over, he raised his head.

    «كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أنزل عليه الوحي نكس رأسه ونكس أصحابه رءوسهم، فلما أتلي عنه رفع رأسه»

    Ubida b. Samit reported that when wahi descended upon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ), he lowered his head and so lowered his Companions their heads, and when (this state) was over, he raised his headTranslation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 2335 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  9. Masruq asked Aisha about the verse "Then he (Gabriel) approached and came closer, and was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer". She said that Gabriel used to come to the Prophet ﷺ in what figure?

    1. As a bright light
    2. As a voice with no form
    3. In the figure of a man
    4. In the shape of a cloud
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    Answer: In the figure of a man

    Aisha said Gabriel used to come to the Prophet ﷺ in the figure of a man, and that on that occasion he came in his actual figure.

    فأين قوله ثم دنا فتدلى فكان قاب قوسين أو أدنى قالت ذاك جبريل كان يأتيه في صورة الرجل وإنه أتاه هذه المرة في صورته

    Narrated Masruq:I asked Aisha "What about His Statement:-- "Then he (Gabriel) approached And came closer, And was at a distance Of but two bow-lengths Or (even) nearer?" (53.8-9) She replied, "It was Gabriel who used to come to the Prophet (ﷺ) in the figure of a man, but on that occasion, he came in his actual and real figure and (he was so huge) that he covered the whole horizonTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3235 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  10. Masruq asked Aisha, the Mother of the Believers, a question about the Prophet ﷺ, and she answered that what he had said made her hair stand on end. What had he asked?

    1. Whether the Prophet ﷺ had seen Paradise
    2. Whether the Prophet ﷺ had seen the Throne
    3. Whether the Prophet ﷺ had seen the Preserved Tablet
    4. Whether the Prophet ﷺ had seen his Lord
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    Answer: Whether the Prophet ﷺ had seen his Lord

    Masruq asked Aisha whether the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had seen his Lord, and she said it made her hair stand on end.

    يا أمتاه هل رأى محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ربه فقالت لقد قف شعري مما قلت أين أنت من ثلاث من حدثكهن فقد كذب

    Narrated Masruq:I said to `Aisha, "O Mother! Did Prophet Muhammad see his Lord?" Aisha said, "What you have said makes my hair stand on end !Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4855 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  11. As revelation came to the Prophet ﷺ, he used to move his tongue and lips, and Allah revealed the verse "Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur'an) to make haste therewith." In which surah does this verse occur?

    1. Al-Alaq (The Clot)
    2. Al-Qiyama (The Day of Resurrection)
    3. Al-Muddaththir (The Cloaked One)
    4. Al-Muzzammil (The Wrapped One)
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    Answer: Al-Qiyama (The Day of Resurrection)

    Ibn Abbas said Allah revealed the verse in the Surah that begins 'I do swear by the Day of Resurrection'.

    لسانه وشفتيه فيشتد عليه وكان يعرف منه فأنزل الله الآية التي في لا أقسم بيوم القيامة لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas:Regarding His (Allah's) Statement:-- 'Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur'an) to make haste therewith.' (75.16) And whenever Gabriel descended to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) with the Divine Inspiration, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to move his tongue and lips, and that used to be hard for him, and one could easily recognize that he was being inspired Divinely. So Allah revealed the Verse which occurs in the Surah starting with "I do swear by the Day of Resurrection.' (75.1) i.e. 'Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur'an) to make haste then with.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 5044 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  12. After the verse "Do not move your tongue concerning (the Qur'an)" was revealed, what did the Prophet ﷺ do whenever Gabriel came to him with revelation?

    1. He had it written down
    2. He recited along with Gabriel
    3. He listened
    4. He asked Gabriel to repeat it
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    Answer: He listened

    He used to listen to Gabriel whenever he came, and after Gabriel left he recited it as Gabriel had recited it.

    كما كان بن عباس يحركهما فحرك شفتيه فأنزل الله عز وجل لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه قال جمعه في صدرك ثم تقرؤه فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه قال فاستمع له وأنصت ثم إن علينا أن تقرأه قال فكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أتاه جبريل عليه السلام استمع فإذا انطلق جبريل قرأه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كما

    So Allah revealed:-- '(O Muhammad!) Do not move your tongue concerning (the Qur'an) to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and give you (O Muhammad) the ability to recite it. (i.e., to collect it in your chest and then you recite it).' (75.16-17) But when We have recited it, to you (O Muhammad through Gabriel) then follow you its recital.' (75.18) This means, "You should listen to it and keep quiet and then it is upon Us to make you recite it." The narrator added, "So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to listen whenever Gabriel came to him, and when Gabriel left, the Prophet (ﷺ) would recite the Qur'an as Gabriel had recited it to himTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7524 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  13. In the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, Umar ibn al-Khattab heard Hisham ibn Hakim reciting a surah in several ways that the Prophet ﷺ had not taught Umar. Which surah was it?

    1. Al-Baqarah
    2. Al-Furqan
    3. Al-Kahf
    4. Yusuf
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    Answer: Al-Furqan

    Umar heard Hisham reciting Surat al-Furqan in several ways that Allah's Messenger ﷺ had not taught him.

    حكيم يقرأ سورة الفرقان في حياة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاستمعت لقراءته فإذا هو يقرأ على حروف كثيرة لم يقرئنيها رسول الله

    Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattab:I heard Hisham bin Hakim reciting Surat Al-Furqan during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and I listened to his recitation and noticed that he recited in several different ways which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had not taught me.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4992 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  14. Umar heard Hisham reciting a surah in prayer in a way he had not been taught, and waited until Hisham finished the prayer. How did Umar then seize him?

    1. By his hand
    2. By his arm
    3. By the garment round his neck
    4. By his shoulder
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    Answer: By the garment round his neck

    Umar waited until Hisham had finished his prayer, then put Hisham's upper garment around his neck and seized him by it.

    حكيم يقرأ سورة الفرقان في حياة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاستمعت لقراءته فإذا هو يقرأ على حروف كثيرة لم يقرئنيها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فكدت أساوره في الصلاة فتصبرت حتى سلم فلببته بردائه فقلت من أقرأك

    Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattab:I heard Hisham bin Hakim reciting Surat Al-Furqan during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and I listened to his recitation and noticed that he recited in several different ways which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had not taught me. I was about to jump over him during his prayer, but I controlled my temper, and when he had completed his prayer, I put his upper garment around his neck and seized him by it and said, "Who taught you this Sura which I heard you reciting?"Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4992 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  15. According to Ubayy ibn Ka'b, where was the Prophet ﷺ when Gabriel came to him with Allah's command to recite the Qur'an to his people in one dialect?

    1. In the cave of Hira
    2. At the mosque of Quba
    3. Near the pond of Banu Ghifar
    4. In the valley of Nakhlah
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    Answer: Near the pond of Banu Ghifar

    The Prophet ﷺ was near the pond of Banu Ghifar when Gabriel came to him.

    النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان عند أضاة بني غفار، قال: فأتاه جبريل عليه السلام، فقال: إن الله يأمرك أن تقرأ أمتك القرآن على

    Ubayy b. Ka'b reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was near the tank of Banu Ghifar that Gabriel came to him and said:Allah has commanded you to recite to your people the Qur'an in one dialect.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 821a · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  16. Ubayy ibn Ka'b went with two men to the Prophet ﷺ after hearing them recite differently in the mosque, and a doubt came into his mind. What did the Prophet ﷺ do when he saw how Ubayy was affected?

    1. He took Ubayy by the hand
    2. He asked Ubayy to recite aloud
    3. He placed his hand on Ubayy's shoulder
    4. He struck Ubayy's chest
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    Answer: He struck Ubayy's chest

    When the Prophet ﷺ saw how Ubayy was affected, he struck his chest, and Ubayy broke into a sweat.

    قراءة صاحبه، فلما قضينا الصلاة دخلنا جميعا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقلت: إن هذا قرأ قراءة أنكرتها عليه، ودخل آخر فقرأ سوى قراءة صاحبه، فأمرهما رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقرآ، فحسن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم شأنهما، فسقط في نفسي من التكذيب، ولا إذ كنت في الجاهلية، فلما رأى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما قد غشيني، ضرب في صدري، ففضت عرقا وكأنما أنظر إلى الله عز وجل فرقا، فقال لي: " يا أبي

    When we had finished the prayer, we all went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said to him: This man recited in a style to which I objected, and the other entered and recited in a style different from that of his companion. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked them to recite and so they recited, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) expressed approval of their affairs (their modes of recitation). and there occurred In my mind a sort of denial which did not occur even during the Days of Ignorance. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw how I was affected (by a wrong idea), he struck my chest, whereupon I broke into sweating and felt as though I were looking at Allah with fear.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 820a · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  17. As the Prophet ﷺ set out with some of his companions towards the market of 'Ukaz, a barrier was placed between the devils and the news of heaven. What was thrown at them?

    1. Stones
    2. Arrows
    3. A violent wind
    4. Flames of fire
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    Answer: Flames of fire

    Fire was thrown at the devils at the time the barrier was placed between them and the news of heaven.

    انطلق النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في طائفة من أصحابه عامدين إلى سوق عكاظ وقد حيل بين الشياطين وبين خبر السماء وأرسلت عليهم الشهب

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas:The Prophet (ﷺ) set out with the intention of going to Suq `Ukaz (market of `Ukaz) along with some of his companions. At the same time, a barrier was put between the devils and the news of heaven. Fire commenced to be thrown at them.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 773 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  18. One night Ibn Mas'ud and his companions realised the Prophet ﷺ was missing. Where did they search for him?

    1. In the streets of Makkah
    2. In the caves of the mountain
    3. In the valleys and the hills
    4. Among the palm groves
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: In the valleys and the hills

    They missed him one night and searched for him in the valleys and the hills.

    كنا مع رسول الله ذات ليلة ففقدناه فالتمسناه في الأودية والشعاب. فقلنا: استطير أو اغتيل. قال:

    He (Ibn Mas'uad) said: No, but we were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) one night and we missed him. We searched for him in the valleys and the hills and said.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 450a · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  19. The Prophet ﷺ told his companions that an inviter on behalf of the jinn had come to him and he went along with him. What did he say he did with the jinn?

    1. He judged a dispute between them
    2. He gave them a message for their people
    3. He taught them the rules of prayer
    4. He recited the Qur'an to them
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    Answer: He recited the Qur'an to them

    He said he went with the inviter of the jinn and recited the Qur'an to them.

    بشر ليلة بات بها قوم. فقال: «أتاني داعي الجن فذهبت معه فقرأت عليهم القرآن» قال: فانطلق

    He (the Holy Prophet) said: There came to me an inviter on behalf of the Jinn and I went along with him and recited to them the Qur'an.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 450a · Grade: Sahih (authentic)

The questions and explanations are written by Seerah Streak from the cited hadith; words in quotation marks are the source's own. The Arabic is the book's text, checked word for word.

Lessons on this topic

In the app, each lesson reads the full passage, then asks about it.

  1. The cave of HiraSahih al-Bukhari 3
  2. Khadijah and WaraqahSahih al-Bukhari 3
  3. The pause in revelationSahih al-Bukhari 4926 · Sahih Muslim 161d
  4. When revelation descended on himSahih al-Bukhari 4985 · Sahih Muslim 2335 · Sahih Muslim 1690c
  5. Seeing JibrilSahih al-Bukhari 3235 · Sahih al-Bukhari 4855
  6. Do not hasten with itSahih al-Bukhari 5044 · Sahih al-Bukhari 7524
  7. The Qur'an in seven modesSahih al-Bukhari 4992 · Sahih al-Bukhari 6936
  8. Ubayy and the dialects of recitationSahih Muslim 821a · Sahih Muslim 820a
  9. The jinn listenSahih al-Bukhari 773 · Sahih al-Bukhari 4921
  10. The night of the jinnSahih Muslim 450a · Sahih Muslim 450e

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In this part of the Seerah: Makkah: birth to the Hijra

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