969 — Abū Muhammad Yahyā ibn Muhammad ibn Sāid narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Suhayl ibn Askar, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Zanjawayh, al-Hasan ibn Abī al-Rabī, and Ahmad ibn Mansūr narrated to us—the wording is that of Ibn Askar—saying: Abd al-Razzāq narrated to us, saying: Mamar informed us, from al-Zuhrī, who said: Urwa ibn al-Zubayr narrated to me, from Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—who said:

“The first form in which revelation came to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was the true dream in sleep. He would never have a dream but that it came to pass as clearly as daybreak. Then solitude was made beloved to him. He would go to Hirā and practice tahannuth there—that is, worship—for a number of nights at a time, taking provisions for that purpose. He would then return to Khadija—may Allah be pleased with her—and she would provide him with provisions for another such period, until revelation suddenly came upon him while he was in the cave of Hirā.

“The angel came to him there and said, ‘Read!’ The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—related: ‘I replied, “I cannot read.” He seized me and pressed me tightly until I could bear no more. Then he released me and said, “Read!” I replied, “I cannot read.” He seized me and pressed me tightly a second time until I could bear no more. Then he released me and said, “Read!” I replied, “I cannot read.” He pressed me tightly a third time until I could bear no more. Then he released me and said: “Read in the name of your Lord who created” [al-Alaq: 1], until he reached the words, “taught man what he did not know” [al-Alaq: 5].’

“He returned with the muscles between his neck and shoulders trembling. When he entered upon Khadija, he said, ‘Wrap me up! Wrap me up!’ They wrapped him up until his terror subsided. He then said ⦗1438⦘, ‘Khadija, what is the matter with me?’ He told her what had happened and said, ‘You have indeed been afraid for me.’ She replied, ‘No! Rejoice, for by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You uphold ties of kinship, speak truthfully, bear the burdens of the helpless, honor your guests, and aid those afflicted by calamity in a rightful cause.’”