How Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

One of the oldest Quran

Quran is the final word of God to Mankind and it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In order to have a better understanding of Quran it is important to study how it was revealed and in context it was revealed. Quran was revealed in a period of 23 years, it was not revealed all at once rather it was received by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on different occasions and incidents.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received his first revelation in 610CE, in the Cave of Hira in the Mountain of Light (Jabale-Noor), two and a half miles away from the House of Allah in the city of Makkah in Arabia. The first revelation was the first five verses of Surah (chapter) Al-Alaq and the last revelation was the third verse of Surah Al-Maidah, which was sent down to the Prophet in 632 C.E.

The gradual revelation of the Quran prepared the people to accept and then live the virtues, excellent manners, and lofty aspirations it demanded. The Quran was revealed in stages so that its audience could understand, internalize, and apply its prohibitions, commands, and reforms. Revelations came when the need for guidance arose or a demand for guidance on some incident was needed. If the Quran was reveled all at once, how would the followers have reacted to all its prohibitions and commandments? We know that for humans it’s not easy to leave bad habits and activities. Quran came not only to change couple of habits but it came as a complete code of life.