Muhammad, when he retired to the Cave of Hira from time to time, used to ponder over the basic questions about the man, the universe, its Creator, and man's relationship to Him. To God, the only Supreme and Powerful One, Muhammad directed his meditation and his worship. 

One night in the month of Ramadhan -'The Night of Power and Excellence' when he, then in fortieth year, was meditating in the Cave of Hira over the ultimate realities, he heard a mighty voice twice ordering him: 'Read'. He was frightened and overawed, and finally he answered the voice, saying, 'I cannot read.' But the order was repeated until at last Muhammad tremblingly asked, 'What shall I read?' The voice came: 

Read, in the name of your Lord Who created, created man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) pen-taught man that which he knew not.'(96:1-5) 

This was the first revelation of the Holy Book, brought by the Angel Gabriel. Messenger Muhammad , shaking with fear, immediately rushed home and told his wife Khadijah what had happened. She lovingly reassured him, saying that it could not have been anything harmful to him, for as he was an upright man God would protect him. A little later Khadijah was the first person to embrace his call. 

Shortly after this first revelation, God revealed to Muhammad, through the Angel Gabriel, that he was chosen to spread God's message and to show misled humanity the right path. He now quietly began his mission, preaching the Oneness of God, the path submission to Him, the folly of idolatry, and the inevitable coming of the Day of Judgment. The Holy Book declares the Oneness of God in these words:'Say: God is One, Unique; God, the Source (of everything); He has not fathered anything nor is He fathered; And there is nothing comparable to Him.'(112) 

This message, though simple and basic, was the greatest possible challenge and treat to the idol-worshippers of Mecca. They did not wish to change their ways of living and they were afraid of losing their power if idolatry was given up, so they began to insult and humiliate the Messenger in the most cruel and persistent manner. But nothing can really harm one who is protected by God. 

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