I replied, “I cannot read.” Then he seized me and squeezed me a second time until I could bear no more. Then he released me and said, “Read.” I replied, “I cannot read.” Then he seized me and squeezed me a third time until I could bear no more. Then he released me and said:

“Read in the name of your Lord who created—
created man from a clinging substance.
Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous,
who taught by the pen—
taught man what he did not know.”’

The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, returned with these words, his heart trembling. He went to Khadījah bint Khuwaylid and said, ‘Wrap me up! Wrap me up!’ They wrapped him up until his fear subsided. He told Khadījah what had happened and said, ‘I feared for myself.’

Khadījah said to him, ‘No! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You maintain ties of kinship, bear others’ burdens, honour guests, provide people with what they lack, and give help where it is right to do so in times of hardship.’

Then Khadījah took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal ibn Asad ibn ‘Abd