Stages of revelation of quran: Phases of Divine Guidance
The Quran is our holy book that guides our lives, offering teachings on spirituality, morality, and law. It is the true words of Allah, given to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 23 years. However, many people are often unaware of the stages of revelation of the Quran or why it was revealed gradually. Was the Quran sent down all at once? How was it given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? Learning about the process of revelation helps us understand the Quran’s message better and strengthens our connection to this sacred text.
In this blog, we’ll explore the Quran revelation stages, how it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and how this gradual process shows the wisdom and timeless relevance of the Quran.
Why did revelations in the Quran happen gradually?
All scholars agree on one fact: the Quran was not sent down to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH all at once. As a matter of fact, it was given in a period of 23 years gradually. It was piece by piece with the events that unfolded and the situation that existed at that time.
The Quran itself speaks to this process, emphasizing the wisdom behind it. In Surah Al-Furqan (25:32), Allah addresses the question raised by the disbelievers as to why the Quran was not revealed in one go, stating: “And those who do not believe say: Why wasn’t the Quran sent down to him all at once? It is revealed in parts so that We may strengthen your heart with it. We have sent it down to you slowly, step by step.”
Sheikh ‘Abd ar-Rahman as-S’adi explains that every part of the Quran was revealed to the Prophet at the right time, providing guidance that was more helpful than if the entire Quran had been given all at once. Surah Al-Isra (17:106) also points out that the Quran was revealed gradually so that people could think about it carefully and truly understand its messages over time. This made it easier for them to take in the teachings and put them into practice.
How did prophet Muhammad receive the Quran?
The Quran was given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), who served as a messenger between Allah and the Prophet. The Quran was revealed in a sacred and powerful way. Jibril would first receive the message directly from Allah and then bring it to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet would hear the words with his ears, and his heart would understand the meaning, which allowed him to share the Quran with his followers.
The revelation of the Quran was a deep and intense experience. Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) described that when Allah’s message was revealed, the angels in the heavens would hear a sound like a chain being pulled over a rock, and they would faint. When Jibril came with the message, they would wake up and ask him, “What did your Lord say?” The angel Jibril would reply and say, “The truth, and repeat it once again
Scholars like Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explain that even though the Quran is kept in the “Preserved Tablet” (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz), Jibril still received it directly from Allah before delivering it to the Prophet. This shows the sacred and divine nature of the Quran’s transmission.
Explaining the 3 stages of revelation of Quran
The 3 stages of Quran revelation are:
- Writing in Al-Lauh al-Mahfoodh
The Quran was first written in the “Preserved Tablet” (Al-Lauh al-Mahfoodh), where everything that would happen in the universe is recorded. Allah ordered the pen to write everything that was destined to happen, including the Quran. - Revelation to the Lower Heaven
Next, the Quran was sent down in its entirety to Al-Bayt al-Izza, the “House of Honor” in the lower heaven, on Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree) during Ramadan. It was then ready to be revealed gradually to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). - Revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
For 23 years, the Quran was given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) bit by bit through Angel Jibril (Gabriel).It was revealed based on different events and situations. This step-by-step way of revealing the Quran was different from earlier holy books, which were revealed all at once. The revelation would sometimes come as a ringing sound, or Jibril would appear in human form to deliver the verses.
This three-stage process ensured that the Quran was delivered precisely and contextually, according to Allah’s wisdom.
How to simply explain revelation of the quran for kids
- First, the Quran was written in the sky
Before it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Quran was stored in a sacred place known as the “Preserved Tablet” in the sky. This is where all events in the world are recorded.
- Then, it was sent to the sky above us
Allah sent the Quran from the sky to a special house in the sky called “Bayt al-Izza” (The House of Honor) on a special night called Laylat al-Qadr. This took place during the sacred month of Ramadan.
- In the end, Angel Jibril (Gabriel) brought it down to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Angel Jibril (Gabriel) gave the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) piece by piece over 23 years.
The Prophet would listen attentively and then teach the message to his companions and followers.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the stages of revelation of Quran helps us see the wisdom and reason behind its delivery to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over 23 years. The gradual process allowed the Quran to respond to the needs and challenges of the time, offering guidance and comfort during tough moments. This approach made it easier for people to understand, absorb, and live by the Quran’s teachings step by step.
One of the best ways to appreciate the Quran is to understand it deeply. E-hoopoe provides a great opportunity for that with interactive lessons, live sessions, and resources which will help you connect to the message of the Quran meaningfully.
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