When the first words of revelation descended upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, they marked the most pivotal turning point in Islamic history, a moment whose impact has reverberated across centuries and will continue until the end of time. But beyond its eternal significance, have you ever stopped to consider what it meant for the Prophet ﷺ himself in that moment?

It’s easy to imagine revelation as something peaceful, like a dream full of light, and to think the Prophet ﷺ was always ready for it. But the reality is that it was heavy and overwhelming, and it transformed his life forever. While Divine inspiration began for the Prophet ﷺ in the form of true dreams during his sleep (Bukhari), when the Qur’an finally descended, it was not a slow build-up. It came suddenly, in the quiet cave of Hira, where the Prophet ﷺ had gone for solitude and reflection. Without warning, the Angel Jibreel AS appeared and commanded, “Read!”, a command repeated three times, each accompanied by a physical embrace so intense that the Prophet ﷺ later described it as almost unbearable. (Bukhari) 

There are numerous hadith narrating the immense physical intensity of receiving revelation. The Prophet ﷺ would sweat even on cold days, his face flushed, breathing heavily, and his body would become so heavy that if he were riding an animal, it would be forced to sit down. 

Narrated Zaid bin Thabit RA, “So Allah revealed to his Apostle while his thigh was on my thigh, and his thigh became so heavy that I was afraid it might fracture my thigh.” (Bukhari)

Aisha RA described, “Verily I saw the Prophet being inspired Divinely on a very cold day and noticed the sweat dropping from his forehead.” (Bukhari)

In another narration, “The Prophet’s face was red and he kept on breathing heavily for a while and then he was relieved…” (Bukhari)

At times, the Prophet ﷺ described it as, “Sometimes it is like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all, and then this state passes off after I have retained what is inspired.” (Bukhari)

Other times, when the Angel came in the form of a man and spoke directly, the experience was easier, “Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I retain whatever he says… And this form is the easiest for me.” (Bukhari)

Allah Himself reveals the weight of the task, “Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.” (Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:5)

Scholars explain that this “heavy word” is not just the text of the Qur’an, but the incredible amount of responsibility it brings, demanding a revolution in belief, morals, social order and civilisation. It made the Prophet ﷺ the final Messenger and witness for all of humanity till the end of times, with no Prophet after him. Carrying this message was the greatest burden any human being has ever been tasked with. (Tafhim al-Qur’an)

Classical scholars like Ibn Khaldun describe the process, “Prophets possess a soul that can momentarily shed its human limitations to experience the angelic realm, hearing divine speech directly. This causes pain because the soul leaves its own natural state and attains a higher, more intense level… This is the meaning of the choking feeling which Muhammad referred to in connection with the beginning of revelation.” (The Muqaddimah, Ibn Khaldun)

The revelation is so heavy that Allah Himself acknowledges that even something as immovable as a mountain would crumble under the weight of the Qur’an’s message. 

“Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah. We set forth such comparisons for people, ˹so˺ perhaps they may reflect.” (Surah al-Hashr 59:21)

After the first revelation, the Prophet ﷺ left the cave trembling and fearful. “Then the Prophet returned therewith, his heart was trembling, and he went to Khadijah and said, ‘Wrap me up, wrap me up!’” (Muslim)

Khadijah RA, Ummul Momineen, the Mother of the Believers, was not only his wife but also his confidante and steadfast supporter. After explaining what had happened, the Prophet ﷺ said, “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadija RA replied, “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.” (Bukhari) 

She was his source of comfort, the one who reassured him of Allah’s protection, reminded him of his goodness, and was the first to embrace Islam and believe in his mission. Years later, Aisha RA would also be a source of comfort and happiness for the Prophet ﷺ, preserving and narrating these moments in detail, ensuring we understand the human weight of his ﷺ mission.

Despite the overwhelming experience of receiving revelation, as well as the physical hardship that accompanied it, the Prophet ﷺ endured far deeper trials that followed. For years, he ﷺ faced ridicule, humiliation and the siege and boycott of his family. He lived through hunger, isolation, and relentless pressure, yet he stayed steadfast in his mission, placing unwavering trust in Allah. 

He was also deeply conscious of the weight of transmitting Allah’s Word, a responsibility that never left him, even as he approached his final moments. Narrations describe how he wept, saying, “O Allah, my Ummah, my Ummah,” overwhelmed by concern and love for his community, the ones with him and the followers who would come after. Allah then comforted him through the Angel Jibreel, with the message, “Verily, We will please you regarding your Ummah and will never displease you.” (Muslim) 

If we pause and think about it, the revelation of the Qur’an is an incredible process; the word of Allah coming down to Earth, placed in the heart and mind of His Messenger ﷺ in a language we can understand. It is proof for those who reject it, guidance for those who accept it, light for those looking for truth, reviving the spiritually dead, civilising the ignorant, and giving law to bring order to humanity for the benefit in this world and the next. Because it’s so multi-dimensional, revelation was not always the same: sometimes peaceful, sometimes not, depending on what was revealed and the time it came.

In our own lives, there are days when faith feels heavy, whether it’s doubts, social pressure, or personal struggles. That is normal. The important thing is to keep going, building habits and a community we can rely on, to support us and remind us of our purpose. The Prophet ﷺ also didn’t go through this alone; Khadijah RA, Abu Bakr RA, his daughters, especially Fatimah RA, Ali RA, and later Aisha RA and others were there to provide him with comfort and strength.

We need that too: good company, honest conversations, and safe spaces where we can be real about what we’re going through. This is what personal resistance looks like: showing up, even when it’s hard, knowing it will shape us over time.

The Prophet’s ﷺ first encounter with revelation shows us that guidance rarely comes easily. Receiving hidayah isn’t just a simple gift; it comes with responsibility, struggle, and growth, and it calls for action, patience, and trust, even when we feel exhausted or afraid. Just as the Qur’an was carried with weight, we too must carry our share of its message, holding on through the struggles this dunya brings. Upholding truth and justice in this world has never been easy. And if the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had to struggle with this burden, then resistance and difficulty will be part of the process for us too.