The tenth leader of the Shiites, Imam Hadi (PBUH) has said:
“When Muhammad (PBUH&HP) gave up the business at Shaam and gave all the things Allah had bestowed upon him to the poor, he would climb into the cave of Haraa everyday and gaze at the traces of Allah’s mercy. He would contemplate over the marvels of Allah’s blessings and the novelties of His wisdom.
He would set his eyes around the skies, the horizons of the earth, the seas, the valleys, the plains and the deserts. He would learn lessons from observing all those signs of power and blessings of Allah; and from that entire scenery, he would remember the majesty of Allah, the creator. On this basis he would worship Allah with a great insight. When he reached the age of forty, Allah took a look at his heart, and considered his heart as the best and softest hearts of all.
At that moment Allah ordered to open the doors of the heavens. Muhammad (PBUH&HP) would gaze at the skies from there. Allah then ordered the angels to descend. They obeyed and descended while Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was able to see them. And Allah showered His blessings and special attention from the abyss of the heavens upon the head and face of Muhammad (PBUH&HP).
At that moment Muhammad (PBUH&HP) gazed at Gabriel who was surrounded by a halo of light. Gabriel came close, held and shook his arm, and said:
‘O Muhammad! Read!’
He asked: ‘What shall I read?’
Gabriel replied:
‘Read in the name of your Lord who has created this world and all the worlds. Has created man from a leech [Spermatozoa]. Read and your Lord is the most honorable, who taught (to write) with the pen; taught man what he knew not.’
The messenger of revelation had accomplished his mission, and thus returned back up to the heavens. The Prophet then came down from the mountain. He fainted and fell ill with fever from having witnessed all that majesty and glory of the Lord, and from what he had perceived through revelation…”(1)
Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was appointed to the high position of a Prophet without really any materialistic ceremony. He turned back home with a gentle pace, wide sight and with extraordinary power.
As soon as he entered the house a ray of light and a fine smell surrounded the house. Lady Khadijah (PBUH) asked:” What is this light?” The Prophet replied:” This is the light of Prophethood. O Khadijah! Say There is no God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Then the Prophet told her the story of his appointment, quoting Gabriel’s last words:” You are the Messenger of Allah from now on.”
It was many years ago that Lady Khadijah (PBUH) had recognized the light of Prophethood in the bright appearance of her beloved husband. She had realized many joyful secrets from the behavior and statements of the Prophet. Thus she said:” By God, it is a long time that I have been waiting for this very day; and I was hoping that one day you would become the Leader and the Messenger of these people.”(2)
This way Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH&HP), the most deserving man of Quraish, whose brilliant past with his famous moral virtues were clear for all, was appointed to the Prophethood and the Leadership of the people and became the seal of Prophethood in the cave of Hara.
(Selection taken from, “The History of Islam”, by Ali Dawani)
Congratulation to all monotheists of the world on the anniversary of the appointment of the seal of all Prophets: Muhammad al-Mustafa (PBUH&HP).
If in any case you are willing to know more about the details of this glorious event, Roshd website is proud to present the article entitled as “The Appointment of the Prophet” which is updated on this holy occasion. (You may click here to read this article.)
Footnotes:
1-Bihar al-Anwar, Allamah Majlisi, vol.18, p.205, vol.17, p.309, the new edition
2-Manqib ibn Shahr Ashoob, vol.1, p.36