33. His صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophethood
A’isha عنھا الله رضي said: The commencement of the Divine Revelation to Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم was in the form of true dreams in his sleep, for he never had a dream but it turned out to be true and clear as the bright daylight. Then he began to like seclusion, so he used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship Allah continuously for many nights before going back to his family to take the necessary provision (of food) for the stay. He would come back to (his wife) Khadijah again to take his provision (of food) likewise, till one day he received the Guidance while he was in the cave of Hira. An Angel came to him and asked him to read. Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم replied, "I do not know how to read." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم added, "Then the Angel held me (forcibly) and pressed me till I felt distressed. Then he released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he held me again and pressed me for the second time till I felt distressed. He then released me and asked me to read, but again I replied. 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he held me for the third time and pressed me till I got distressed, and then he released me and said, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists), has created man out of a clot, Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he knew not." (96.1-5).
Then Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم returned with that experience; and his heart was pounding till he came upon Khadijah (his wife) and said, "Cover me!" They covered him, and when the state of fear was over, he relayed the story to Khadijah and said "O Khadijah! I was afraid for my life.” Khadijah said, "Nay! But receive the good tidings! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you, for by Allah, you keep good relations with your Kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, treat your guests generously and assist those who are stricken with calamities."