Sūrah 74 · Meccan

How Sūrah Al-Muddaththir was revealed.

Where and when it came down, what it teaches, and the hadith about it — all on one calm page.

Read Al-Muddaththir → The revelation story
Where revealed Meccan

Revealed in the Meccan period, before the migration to Madīnah.

Order of revelation #4

Its place in the traditional order in which the sūrahs were revealed.

Length 56 ayahs

2 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Makkan surah marks the formal commencement of the Prophet’s mission, following the initial pause in revelation. Its primary purpose is to command the Prophet (ﷺ) to rise and warn the people, affirm Monotheism, establish the necessity of spiritual and physical purity, and issue a severe warning of Resurrection and Hellfire to the arrogant deniers of Makkah.

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah marks the formal commencement of the Prophet’s mission, following the initial pause in revelation. Its primary purpose is to command the Prophet (ﷺ) to rise and warn the people, affirm Monotheism, establish the necessity of spiritual and physical purity, and issue a severe warning of Resurrection and Hellfire to the arrogant deniers of Makkah.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by consensus, though ayah 31 must have a later revelation, and some suggested that was in Madinah.

Context: The surah was revealed immediately after the period of pause in revelation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet (ﷺ), who was covered and resting. The revelation acted as a direct command to end the retreat and begin the public work of warning. The surah also established the initial, general duty of prayer before the five fixed daily prayers were formally mandated.

Chronology: It is likely to be the second surah revealed, after the initial revelation of Sūrat al-ʿAlaq, and before al-Muzzammil.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Muddaththir" (The Cloaked/Enveloped One), for the intimate opening address to the Prophet (ﷺ).

Ayah Count: 55 ayahs (Madīnah) or 56 (Kūfah/Baṣrah).

Surah Overview:

  • Honoring the Prophet (ﷺ) and commanding him to arise and deliver the warning. [2]
  • Establishing the necessity of purifying Allah, one's self, clothing, and actions (abstaining from sin). [3-5]
  • Commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to be patient for the sake of his Lord and to expect a great reward. [7]
  • Warning of the Hour and describing the terrifying sound of the trumpet blast. [8-10]
  • Condemning the Deniers: Detailing the arrogance and final punishment of the chief deniers (such as Al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah) who accused the Quran of being human speech or magic. [11-30]
  • Refuting Mockery: Refuting the polytheists’ mockery of the keepers of Hellfire and establishing the wisdom of Allah’s trial. [31]
  • The Final Reckoning: Describing the deeds and fate of the believers and contrasting them with the disbelief and subsequent punishment of the sinners. [38-48]
  • Concluding with a reminder that the Quran is a warning and remembrance for all humankind. [54-56]

Sūrah background — via the Quran Foundation Content API. Shown as supplied by the provider. We do not edit, summarise or generate it.

Hadith about this sūrah

What the hadith say.

These 11 narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī are connected to specific āyāt of this sūrah — a linkage reviewed by the Quran Foundation. Open any one to read it in full, in Arabic and English.

  1. Relates to āyah1–5
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4

    قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَأَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيَّ، قَالَ ـ وَهُوَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ فَتْرَةِ الْوَحْىِ، فَقَالَ ـ فِي حَدِيثِهِ ‏"‏ بَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي، إِذْ سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا، مِنَ السَّمَاءِ، فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي فَإِذَا الْمَلَكُ الَّذِي جَاءَنِي بِحِرَاءٍ جَالِسٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَرُعِبْتُ مِنْهُ، فَرَجَعْتُ فَقُلْتُ زَمِّلُونِي‏.‏ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى [quran sura="74" aya_start="1" aya_end="5"]‏{‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ * قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ‏}‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ [quran sura="74" aya_start="5" aya_end="5"]‏{‏وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ‏}‏ فَحَمِيَ الْوَحْىُ وَتَتَابَعَ ‏"‏‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ وَأَبُو صَالِحٍ‏.‏ وَتَابَعَهُ هِلاَلُ بْنُ رَدَّادٍ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ‏.‏ وَقَالَ يُونُسُ وَمَعْمَرٌ ‏"‏ بَوَادِرُهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari (while talking about the period of pause in revelation) reporting the speech of the Prophet: "While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira' sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, 'Wrap me (in blankets).' And then Allah revealed the following Holy Verses (of Quran): 'O you (i.e. Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!' Arise and warn (the people against Allah's Punishment),... up to 'and desert the idols.' (74.1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly."

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3238

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ ثُمَّ فَتَرَ عَنِّي الْوَحْىُ فَتْرَةً، فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ، فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي قِبَلَ السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا الْمَلَكُ الَّذِي جَاءَنِي بِحِرَاءٍ قَاعِدٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَجُئِثْتُ مِنْهُ حَتَّى هَوَيْتُ إِلَى الأَرْضِ، فَجِئْتُ أَهْلِي فَقُلْتُ زَمِّلُونِي زَمِّلُونِي‏.‏ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ إِلَى ‏{‏فَاهْجُرْ‏}‏ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ وَالرِّجْزُ الأَوْثَانُ‏.‏

    Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "The Divine Inspiration was delayed for a short period but suddenly, as I was walking. I heard a voice in the sky, and when I looked up towards the sky, to my surprise, I saw the angel who had come to me in the Hira Cave, and he was sitting on a chair in between the sky and the earth. I was so frightened by him that I fell on the ground and came to my family and said (to them), 'Cover me! (with a blanket), cover me!' Then Allah sent the Revelation: "O, You wrapped up (In a blanket)! (Arise and warn! And your Lord magnify And keep pure your garments, And desert the idols." (74.1-5)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4954

    قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ شِهَابٍ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ فَتْرَةِ الْوَحْىِ قَالَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ ‏"‏ بَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي، فَإِذَا الْمَلَكُ الَّذِي جَاءَنِي بِحِرَاءٍ جَالِسٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ فَفَرِقْتُ مِنْهُ فَرَجَعْتُ فَقُلْتُ زَمِّلُونِي زَمِّلُونِي ‏"‏‏.‏ فَدَثَّرُوهُ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ * قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ * وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ * وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ * وَالرِّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ‏﴾‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ وَهْىَ الأَوْثَانُ الَّتِي كَانَ أَهْلُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَعْبُدُونَ‏.‏ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَتَابَعَ الْوَحْىُ‏.‏

    Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: While Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was talking about the period of pause in revelation. he said in his narration. "Once while I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw to my surprise, the same Angel as had visited me in the cave of Hira.' He was sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, Wrap me! Wrap me!" So they covered him and then Allah revealed: 'O you, wrapped up! Arise and warn and your Lord magnify, and your garments purify and dessert the idols.' (74.1-5) Abu Salama said, "(Rijz) are the idols which the people of the Pre-lslamic period used to worship." After this the revelation started coming frequently and regularly.

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  2. Relates to āyah1
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4922

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، سَأَلْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَوَّلِ، مَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ ‏﴿‏اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ‏﴾‏ فَقَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ سَأَلْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رضى الله عنهما عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَقُلْتُ لَهُ مِثْلَ الَّذِي قُلْتَ فَقَالَ جَابِرٌ لاَ أُحَدِّثُكَ إِلاَّ مَا حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ جَاوَرْتُ بِحِرَاءٍ، فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ جِوَارِي هَبَطْتُ فَنُودِيتُ فَنَظَرْتُ عَنْ يَمِينِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، وَنَظَرْتُ عَنْ شِمَالِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، وَنَظَرْتُ أَمَامِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، وَنَظَرْتُ خَلْفِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فَرَأَيْتُ شَيْئًا، فَأَتَيْتُ خَدِيجَةَ فَقُلْتُ دَثِّرُونِي وَصُبُّوا عَلَىَّ مَاءً بَارِدًا ـ قَالَ ـ فَدَثَّرُونِي وَصَبُّوا عَلَىَّ مَاءً بَارِدًا قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ * قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ * وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ‏﴾‏ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Yahya bin Abi Kathir: I asked Aba Salama bin `Abdur-Rahman about the first Sura revealed of the Qur'an. He replied "O you, wrapped-up (i.e. Al Muddaththir)." I said, "They say it was, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created,' (i.e. Surat Al-`Alaq (the Clot)." On that, Abu Salama said, "I asked Jabir bin `Abdullah about that, saying the same as you have said, whereupon he said, 'I will not tell you except what Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had told us. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I was in seclusion in the cave of Hiram', and after I completed the limited period of my seclusion. I came down (from the cave) and heard a voice calling me. I looked to my right, but saw nothing. Then I looked up and saw something. So I went to Khadija (the Prophet's wife) and told her to wrap me up and pour cold water on me. So they wrapped me up and poured cold water on me." Then, 'O you, (Muhammad) wrapped up! Arise and warn,' (Surat Al Muddaththir) was revealed." (74.1)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4924

    حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَرْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ أَىُّ الْقُرْآنِ أُنْزِلَ أَوَّلُ فَقَالَ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ فَقُلْتُ أُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّهُ ‏﴿‏اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ‏﴾‏ فَقَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ سَأَلْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الْقُرْآنِ أُنْزِلَ أَوَّلُ فَقَالَ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ فَقُلْتُ أُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّهُ ‏﴿‏اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ‏﴾‏ فَقَالَ لاَ أُخْبِرُكَ إِلاَّ بِمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ جَاوَرْتُ فِي حِرَاءٍ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ جِوَارِي، هَبَطْتُ فَاسْتَبْطَنْتُ الْوَادِيَ فَنُودِيتُ، فَنَظَرْتُ أَمَامِي وَخَلْفِي وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ عَلَى عَرْشٍ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَأَتَيْتُ خَدِيجَةَ فَقُلْتُ دَثِّرُونِي وَصُبُّوا عَلَىَّ مَاءً بَارِدًا، وَأُنْزِلَ عَلَىَّ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ * قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ * وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ‏﴾‏‏"‏

    Narrated Yahya: I asked Aba Salama, "Which Sura of the Qur'an was revealed first?" He replied, "O you, wrapped-up' (Al-Muddaththir)." I said, "I have been informed that it was, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord who created (i.e. Surat Al-Alaq)...similar to the narration related by `Ali bin Al-Mubarak, 444 above).

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4925

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ،‏.‏ وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ فَتْرَةِ الْوَحْىِ فَقَالَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ ‏"‏ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي إِذْ سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فَإِذَا الْمَلَكُ الَّذِي جَاءَنِي بِحِرَاءٍ جَالِسٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَجَئِثْتُ مِنْهُ رُعْبًا فَرَجَعْتُ فَقُلْتُ زَمِّلُونِي زَمِّلُونِي‏.‏ فَدَثَّرُونِي فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ إِلَى ‏﴿‏وَالرِّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ‏﴾‏ ـ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُفْرَضَ الصَّلاَةُ ـ وَهْىَ الأَوْثَانُ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) describing the period of pause of the Divine Inspiration. He said in his talk, "While I was walking, I heard voices from the sky. I looked up, and behold ! I saw the same Angel who came to me in the cave of Hira' sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I was too much afraid of him (so I returned to my house) and said, 'Fold me up in garments!' They wrapped me up. Then Allah revealed: 'O you wrapped...and desert the idols before the prayer became compulsory.' Rujz means idols.

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4926

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ فَتْرَةِ الْوَحْىِ ‏"‏ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي قِبَلَ السَّمَاءِ، فَإِذَا الْمَلَكُ الَّذِي جَاءَنِي بِحِرَاءٍ قَاعِدٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَجَئِثْتُ مِنْهُ حَتَّى هَوَيْتُ إِلَى الأَرْضِ، فَجِئْتُ أَهْلِي فَقُلْتُ زَمِّلُونِي زَمِّلُونِي‏.‏ فَزَمَّلُونِي فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏{‏فَاهْجُرْ‏}‏ ‏"‏ ـ قَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ وَالرِّجْزَ الأَوْثَانَ ـ ‏"‏ ثُمَّ حَمِيَ الْوَحْىُ وَتَتَابَعَ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: That he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) describing the period of pause of the Divine Inspiration, and in his description he said, "While I was walking I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up towards the sky, and behold! I saw the same Angel who came to me in the Cave of Hira', sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I was so terrified by him that I fell down on the ground. Then I went to my wife and said, 'Wrap me in garments! Wrap me in garments!' They wrapped me, and then Allah revealed: "O you, (Muhammad) wrapped-up! Arise and warn...and desert the idols." (74.1-5) Abu Salama said....Rujz means idols." After that, the Divine Inspiration started coming more frequently and regularly.

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  3. Relates to āyah1–3
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4922

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، سَأَلْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَوَّلِ، مَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ ‏﴿‏اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ‏﴾‏ فَقَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ سَأَلْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رضى الله عنهما عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَقُلْتُ لَهُ مِثْلَ الَّذِي قُلْتَ فَقَالَ جَابِرٌ لاَ أُحَدِّثُكَ إِلاَّ مَا حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ جَاوَرْتُ بِحِرَاءٍ، فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ جِوَارِي هَبَطْتُ فَنُودِيتُ فَنَظَرْتُ عَنْ يَمِينِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، وَنَظَرْتُ عَنْ شِمَالِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، وَنَظَرْتُ أَمَامِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، وَنَظَرْتُ خَلْفِي فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا، فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فَرَأَيْتُ شَيْئًا، فَأَتَيْتُ خَدِيجَةَ فَقُلْتُ دَثِّرُونِي وَصُبُّوا عَلَىَّ مَاءً بَارِدًا ـ قَالَ ـ فَدَثَّرُونِي وَصَبُّوا عَلَىَّ مَاءً بَارِدًا قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ * قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ * وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ‏﴾‏ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Yahya bin Abi Kathir: I asked Aba Salama bin `Abdur-Rahman about the first Sura revealed of the Qur'an. He replied "O you, wrapped-up (i.e. Al Muddaththir)." I said, "They say it was, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created,' (i.e. Surat Al-`Alaq (the Clot)." On that, Abu Salama said, "I asked Jabir bin `Abdullah about that, saying the same as you have said, whereupon he said, 'I will not tell you except what Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had told us. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I was in seclusion in the cave of Hiram', and after I completed the limited period of my seclusion. I came down (from the cave) and heard a voice calling me. I looked to my right, but saw nothing. Then I looked up and saw something. So I went to Khadija (the Prophet's wife) and told her to wrap me up and pour cold water on me. So they wrapped me up and poured cold water on me." Then, 'O you, (Muhammad) wrapped up! Arise and warn,' (Surat Al Muddaththir) was revealed." (74.1)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4924

    حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَرْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ أَىُّ الْقُرْآنِ أُنْزِلَ أَوَّلُ فَقَالَ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ فَقُلْتُ أُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّهُ ‏﴿‏اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ‏﴾‏ فَقَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ سَأَلْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الْقُرْآنِ أُنْزِلَ أَوَّلُ فَقَالَ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ‏﴾‏ فَقُلْتُ أُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّهُ ‏﴿‏اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ‏﴾‏ فَقَالَ لاَ أُخْبِرُكَ إِلاَّ بِمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ جَاوَرْتُ فِي حِرَاءٍ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ جِوَارِي، هَبَطْتُ فَاسْتَبْطَنْتُ الْوَادِيَ فَنُودِيتُ، فَنَظَرْتُ أَمَامِي وَخَلْفِي وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ عَلَى عَرْشٍ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَأَتَيْتُ خَدِيجَةَ فَقُلْتُ دَثِّرُونِي وَصُبُّوا عَلَىَّ مَاءً بَارِدًا، وَأُنْزِلَ عَلَىَّ ‏﴿‏يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ * قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ * وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ‏﴾‏‏"‏

    Narrated Yahya: I asked Aba Salama, "Which Sura of the Qur'an was revealed first?" He replied, "O you, wrapped-up' (Al-Muddaththir)." I said, "I have been informed that it was, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord who created (i.e. Surat Al-Alaq)...similar to the narration related by `Ali bin Al-Mubarak, 444 above).

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The link between each āyah and these narrations is the Quran Foundation's reviewed reference map. The wording is reproduced verbatim from a public-domain edition of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and is not edited, summarised or generated; every narration also opens at Sunnah.com so it can be checked against another copy.

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