When he had completed forty years of life, his intellectual powers were fully matured and he was ready to receive the greatest message Allah had ever entrusted to any of His creatures. It was then that Gabriel, peace be upon him, manifested himself to him. The sight was so awe-inspiring and alarming that it shook him, for nothing of the kind had ever happened to him before; Allah had only prepared him by means of true dreams—no dream he saw but that it shone forth as clearly as daybreak.

The very first words Allah revealed to him were: “Recite in the name of your Lord” (96:1). Gabriel brought them and said, “Recite!” The Prophet explained that he was not a reader—that is, he did not know how to read—just as the Exalted One said, “He found you unaware and guided you” (93:7), a meaning clarified by the other verse, “You did not know what the Book was nor faith, but We made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants” (42:52).

Gabriel then clasped him two or three times to prepare him for receiving the majestic Quran, so that his heart, resolve, outward being, and inner self would be wholly devoted to it.

Thus this surah was revealed, declaring his prophethood and commanding him to recite in the name of his Lord. Within it are set forth the various favors Allah has bestowed upon humankind by teaching them intellectual articulation, spoken expression, and written inscription.

He returned with the revelation to Khadijah, his limbs trembling from fear, and told her what he had seen and what had happened to him. Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “Rejoice! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You nurture family ties, honor your guests, bear the burdens of the weak, provide for the one who has nothing, and assist in every cause of truth.” (1) In other words, whoever possesses such qualities is bound to receive even greater blessings from Allah. This was a success granted by Allah to her and to His Prophet, and it served to soothe the anxiety that had overtaken him.