An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
15. Divine Succour
~ 298 ~
Muhammad begged to be excused, saying that he
did not know how to read. Then the angel took hold
of him and exerted such pressure upon him that
Muhammad could bear it no more. Releasing him,
the angel said, “Read!” “I cannot read,” pleaded
Muhammad. And the angel said: “Read in the name
of your Lord, who created you from a clot of blood.
Read: your Lord is most bounteous.” This was the
first verse of revelation to the Prophet Muhammad.
After this experience, the Prophet came home to his
wife Khadijah in Makkah. Trembling, he cried out to
her, “Cover me up, put a blanket over me!” Khadijah
then made the Prophet lie down. When he had
recovered from his shock, he explained the entire
episode to his wife who, being older, was more
experienced. “I feared for my life,” said the Prophet.
“That could never be,” said Khadijah, “For you are
one who cultivates the bonds of kinship. You help the
needy and enable the destitute to earn their living;
you are hospitable to guests; you offer assistance to
those in distress. Is it possible that God would put
you to shame? By God, that could never happen!”
(AL-BUKHARI,
SAHIH)
