Sahih al-Bukhari 4747 (Book 65, Hadith 475)

Narrated Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The commencement (of the Divine Inspiration) to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the
form of true dreams in his sleep, for he never had a dream but it turned out to be true and clear as the
bright daylight. Then he began to like seclusions, so he used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira
where he used to worship Allah continuously for many nights before going back to his family to take
the necessary provision (of food) for the stay. He come back to (his wife) Khadija again to take his
provision (of food) likewise, till one day he received the Guidance while he was in the cave of Hira.
An Angel came to him and asked him to read. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) replied, “I do not know how to read.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “Then the Angel held me (forcibly) and pressed me so hard that I felt distressed.
Then he released me and again asked me to read, and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’
Thereupon he held me again and pressed me for the second time till I felt distressed. He then released
me and asked me to read, but again I replied. ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he held me for
the third time and pressed me till I got distressed, and then he released me and said, ‘Read, in the
Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists), has created man out of a clot, Read! And your
Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he
knew not.” (96.1-5).
Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) returned with that experience; and the muscles between his neck and shoulders
were trembling till he came upon Khadija (his wife) and said, “Cover me!” They covered him, and
when the state of fear was over, he said to Khadija, “O Khadija! What is wrong with me? I was afraid
that something bad might happen to me.” Then he told her the story. Khadija said, “Nay! But receive
the good tidings! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you, for by Allah, you keep good relations with
your Kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, entertain your guests generously
and assist those who are stricken with calamities.” Khadija then took him to Waraqa bin Naufil, the
son of Khadija’s paternal uncle. Waraqa had been converted to Christianity in the Pre-lslamic Period
and used to write Arabic and write of the Gospel in Arabic as much as Allah wished him to write. He
was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said (to Waraqa), “O my cousin! Listen to what
your nephew is going to say.” Waraqa said, “O my nephew! What have you seen?” The Prophet (ﷺ) then
described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, “This is the same Angel (Gabriel) who was sent to
Moses. I wish I were young.” He added some other statement. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked, “Will these
people drive me out?” Waraqa said, “Yes, for nobody brought the like of what you have brought, but
was treated with hostility. If I were to remain alive till your day (when you start preaching). then I
would support you strongly.” But a short while later Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was
paused (stopped) for a while so that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was very much grieved.