Mauao Man

Muhammad: The Man, The Myth, The Messenger

Part 2: Muhammad’s Spiritual Journey and the First Revelation (595–610 AD)

Introduction: The Search for Truth in a World of Idols

By the age of 25, Muhammad was a respected merchant in Mecca, known for his honesty and integrity. Married to Khadijah, a wealthy widow who became his closest confidant, he seemed to have everything a man could want — stability, wealth, and respect.

But beneath this surface of success, Muhammad was a man in search of truth. He lived in a city dominated by the worship of idols, yet he was deeply dissatisfied with the pagan practices of the Quraysh. Like many in his time, he sensed that there was something greater — a truth beyond the idols of stone and wood.

This post explores Muhammad’s spiritual journey from his marriage to Khadijah in 595 AD to his first claimed revelation in 610 AD — a journey that would transform him from a humble merchant into a prophet.

1. A Man of Reflection: Muhammad’s Search for Truth

1. A World of Idols and Ignorance (Jahiliyyah)

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad grew increasingly troubled by the state of his society, which was dominated by polytheism, idol worship, and tribal conflict.
Mecca was home to the Kaaba, a shrine that housed hundreds of idols representing the gods of various Arabian tribes.
The most important deities included:
- Hubal: The chief god of Mecca, whose idol stood above the Kaaba.
- Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat: The three goddess daughters of Allah, who were worshipped by the Quraysh.
- Nasr, Suwa, Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr: Deities worshipped by various tribes across Arabia.
The Quraysh, as the custodians of the Kaaba, gained wealth and influence by managing the pilgrimage trade.
This period is known in Islamic history as "Jahiliyyah" (the Age of Ignorance) — a time of moral corruption and spiritual darkness.

2. The Influence of Khadijah:

Khadijah was not just Muhammad’s wife; she was his closest confidant and supporter.
According to Islamic tradition, Khadijah was a woman of deep faith who believed in a single, all-powerful God, though she was not a Jew or a Christian.
Khadijah encouraged Muhammad in his search for truth, providing emotional and financial support.
Historical Problem: The details of Khadijah’s faith and her influence on Muhammad are based on later Islamic sources, with no independent evidence.
A Woman of Integrity: Khadijah was known in Mecca as "Al-Tahira" (the Pure One) because of her noble character and honest business dealings.

3. Encounters with Other Faiths:

As a merchant, Muhammad traveled with caravans, where he encountered the beliefs of Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and pagans.
According to Islamic tradition, he met a Christian monk named Bahira in Syria, who recognized signs of prophethood in him.
Another encounter is said to have occurred with a Christian monk named Nestor, who also recognized Muhammad’s prophetic potential.
Historical Problem: These stories are based on later Islamic sources and are not confirmed by independent historical evidence.
Alternative View: These stories may have been invented to give Muhammad’s prophetic mission a sense of divine recognition from other faiths.

4. A Deepening Sense of Isolation:

As Muhammad grew older, his dissatisfaction with the polytheistic practices of Mecca only deepened.
He saw the Quraysh exploiting pilgrims for profit, engaging in tribal feuds, and neglecting moral values.
His search for truth led him to question the idols of Mecca and to seek a greater spiritual understanding.

2. The Cave of Hira: A Place of Solitude and Reflection

1. Seeking Solitude in the Mountains:

Muhammad began to seek solitude in a cave on Mount Hira, just outside Mecca, where he spent long periods in meditation and prayer.
This practice became a regular part of his life, especially during the month of Ramadan, which was considered a sacred month even before Islam.
In the cave, he would reflect on the state of his society, the meaning of life, and the existence of a higher power.

2. The Path of the Hanifs:

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad was a Hanif — a term for Arabian monotheists who rejected idol worship but were not Jews or Christians.
The Hanifs believed in a single, all-powerful God but did not follow any particular religious law.
Notable Hanifs included:
- Zayd ibn Amr: A pre-Islamic Arab who rejected idolatry and sought the religion of Abraham.
- Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh: A cousin of Muhammad who later became a Christian.
Historical Problem: The Hanifs are mentioned in Islamic tradition, but there is little historical evidence for their existence as an organized group.

3. The Night of Power: The First Revelation (610 AD)

1. The Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr)

According to Islamic tradition, it was during one of these nights in the cave of Hira that Muhammad experienced his first revelation.
The night is known as Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Power), and it is celebrated by Muslims every year during the month of Ramadan.

2. The Appearance of the Angel Gabriel (Jibril)

Muhammad was alone in the cave when the angel Gabriel (Jibril) appeared before him.
Gabriel commanded him, "Read!" (Iqra) — but Muhammad replied, "I cannot read."
Gabriel repeated the command, pressing Muhammad tightly, until Muhammad began to recite the words of revelation:

"Read in the name of your Lord who created — created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous — who taught by the pen — taught man that which he knew not." (Quran 96:1-5)

3. Muhammad’s Fear and Khadijah’s Comfort:

Terrified by the experience, Muhammad fled the cave and returned home to Khadijah.
According to Islamic tradition:
- He asked Khadijah to "cover me, cover me" because he was shaking with fear.
- Khadijah comforted him, reassuring him that he was not possessed.
- She took him to her Christian cousin, Waraqa ibn Nawfal, who confirmed that Muhammad had received a divine revelation.
- Waraqa told Muhammad that he had encountered the same angel that appeared to Moses and Jesus, identifying him as a prophet of God.

4. The Historical Problems with the Story:

The story of the first revelation comes from later Islamic sources, including:
- Ibn Ishaq’s Sira (c. 767 AD) — the earliest surviving biography of Muhammad, written over a century after his death.
- Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim (9th century AD) — Hadith collections written over 200 years later.
There is no independent historical evidence to confirm that this event occurred.
The story of Gabriel’s command, Muhammad’s fear, and Waraqa’s recognition may have been developed to give Muhammad’s message a sense of divine legitimacy.

Conclusion: The Dawn of a New Faith

From his quiet reflections in the cave of Hira to his terrifying encounter with Gabriel, Muhammad’s spiritual journey was one of doubt, fear, and profound transformation. According to Islamic tradition, he was no longer just a merchant — he was a prophet, chosen by God to deliver a message to humanity.

But while this story is central to Islamic belief, it is based entirely on Islamic sources written long after Muhammad’s death. There is no independent historical evidence to confirm the details of his first revelation.

In Part 3, we will explore how Muhammad began preaching his message in Mecca — a message that would challenge the Quraysh, divide families, and eventually transform the entire Arabian Peninsula.

Part 1: Muhammad’s Early Life — From Birth to Marriage (570–595 AD)
The Mecca Controversy: Was It Really a Major Trading Hub?
Before Islam: A History of the Middle East (0 AD to 610 AD)

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.