The Beginning of the Prophetic Mission and How the Qur'an was Revealed

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abstract

There are various viewpoints in relation to the beginning of the Prophethood and how the Qur'an was revealed to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.): 1. The prophetic mission and revelation began in Ramadan. 2. The prophetic mission did not begin with the revelation of the Qur'an. 3. The prophetic mission and the revelation of several verses began in the month of Rajab. 4. The Prophet had two missions (bi‘tha); one in Rajab without revelation of the Qur'an, and the other in the month of Ramadan and together with call unto Islam and the revelation of the Qur'an. 5. The Qur'an had been revealed in two ways: instantaneous and gradual. The instantaneous revelation occurred on the night of Qadr and the gradual began along with the bi‘tha in the month of Rajab. 6. The Qur'an has only gradually revealed and that the beginning of the prophetic mission has either took place in the month of Ramadan along with the revelation of the verses or in the month of Rajab without the Qur'anic revelation. This writing first analyzes and reviews the above-mentioned viewpoints along with their reasons, and then selects the last viewpoint and, in the meantime, touches upon some rare views concerning the revelation of the Qur'an and the beginning of the prophetic mission.