3.1.3 Gradual Revelation

The Meaning of Gradual Revelation

The Qur’an did not come down to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ all at once. It was revealed in parts, over about twenty three years, in different places and circumstances, in Makkah and Madinah. This step by step process is called tanjīm al‑waḥy, the gradual revelation of the Qur’an.

Allah Himself speaks about this gradual sending:

“And [it is] a Qur’an which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period, and We have sent it down gradually.”
(Qur’an 17:106)

Those who asked why the Qur’an did not come down in one single piece were answered clearly in the Qur’an:

“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Why was the Qur’an not revealed to him all at once?’ Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.”
(Qur’an 25:32)

These verses show that the gradual revelation was not a weakness, but a divine choice filled with wisdom.

Why the Qur’an Was Revealed Gradually

Strengthening the Heart of the Prophet ﷺ

The Qur’an did not only come as information. It came as support, comfort, and strength for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Each revelation came exactly when it was needed, to answer a challenge, solve a problem, or comfort him after hardship.

Allah says:

“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Why was the Qur’an not revealed to him all at once?’ Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart...”
(Qur’an 25:32)

When the Prophet ﷺ was mocked, verses came to console him. When he was persecuted in Makkah, verses came to remind him of earlier prophets who were also rejected. When believers were few and weak, verses came with promises of victory.

For example, during the painful time of boycott and rejection, Allah revealed:

“So be patient, [O Muhammad], as were those of determination among the messengers...”
(Qur’an 46:35)

Through this steady flow of revelation, the Prophet ﷺ was never left alone. His heart was constantly nourished with words from his Lord.

Teaching and Training the First Muslims

The first Muslims were learning directly from revelation. Their faith, character, and behavior were being formed gradually. If all laws and commands came at once, it would have been overwhelming for new believers who had grown up in a completely different way of life.

A famous hadith narrated by Aishah رضي الله عنها explains this educational wisdom:

She said: “The first things to be revealed of it were the shorter surahs of Al‑Mufaṣṣal in which Paradise and Hellfire are mentioned. When the people returned to Islam, verses about what is lawful and unlawful were revealed. If the first thing to be revealed had been, ‘Do not drink wine,’ they would have said, ‘We will never give up wine.’ And if, ‘Do not commit zina (fornication),’ had been revealed first, they would have said, ‘We will never give up zina.’”
(Reported by al‑Bukhari)

In the beginning, the Qur’an focused on the truth of Allah, the reality of the Hereafter, and the beauty of faith, so that hearts would be ready to accept rules later with love and conviction.

Making the Qur’an Easy to Memorize and Apply

The Qur’an was revealed to a people whose culture depended on memory and recitation. Gradual revelation allowed the companions to memorize each portion, understand it, and live by it before the next part came.

Allah says:

“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”
(Qur’an 54:17)

This ease was not only in the language, but also in the method of sending it. Small portions, revealed frequently, helped the believers to carry the Qur’an in their hearts. When verses came, the Prophet ﷺ would recite them to the companions, they would memorize and teach them, and then practice them.

A companion described this method:

“We used to learn ten verses from the Prophet ﷺ, and we would not go beyond them until we had learned what they contained of knowledge and action. We learned the Qur’an, and knowledge, and action together.”
(Reported by Ahmad)

Thus, gradual revelation turned the Qur’an into a living guide, not just a text.

Answering Real Questions and Events

The Qur’an came down in connection with real situations in the life of the Prophet ﷺ and his community. This is known as asbāb an‑nuzūl, the occasions or reasons for revelation. Whenever a new event occurred, a question was asked, a problem appeared, or a mistake was made, Allah sent guidance that spoke directly to it.

Allah says:

“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”
(Qur’an 2:219)

The companions asked, and the answer came from Allah. In another verse:

“They ask you what they should spend. Say, ‘Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good, indeed Allah is Knowing of it.’”
(Qur’an 2:215)

This pattern repeated often. Matters of belief, worship, marriage, divorce, inheritance, war, peace, and many other issues were clarified through revealed verses that matched the needs of the moment.

Because of this, the companions saw the Qur’an not as abstract theory, but as a direct response from Allah to their lives.

Gradual Introduction of Laws

Some of the most important rulings did not come in a single command. They came in stages, so that people could let go of old habits and accept new ways in a balanced manner. The clearest example of this is the prohibition of wine.

First, Allah drew attention to both benefit and harm:

“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”
(Qur’an 2:219)

Then drinking was restricted at prayer times:

“O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying...”
(Qur’an 4:43)

Finally, a clear and complete prohibition was revealed:

“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”
(Qur’an 5:90)

By the time the final command came, the hearts of the believers were ready. The companions immediately poured away their wine, showing that the gradual method had fully prepared them.

The Qur’anic style in other laws, such as inheritance, marriage, fasting, and jihad, also reflects this careful step by step guidance.

The Timeframe and Stages of Revelation

Makkan and Madinan Periods

The Qur’an came over about twenty three years. Scholars usually divide revelation into two large periods: Makkan and Madinan. This division is based on whether the verses were revealed before or after the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah.

Makkan revelation focused mainly on Allah’s oneness, resurrection, the Hereafter, stories of earlier prophets, and the basic call to worship Allah alone. Madinan revelation focused more on building a Muslim community, laws of worship and family, social relations, and rules of war and peace.

This is part of the same gradual method. First, faith was built in Makkah. Then a full way of life was detailed in Madinah.

Allah reminds the Prophet ﷺ of receiving revelation in different places and circumstances:

“Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He detested [you]. And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life]. And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.”
(Qur’an 93:3‑5)

These comforting words came in Makkah during a short pause in revelation. Later in Madinah, other verses came to address new issues the community faced.

Different Ways Revelation Came

Although this belongs more fully to the role of Jibrīl عليه السلام, here we only note what is specific to gradual revelation. The Prophet ﷺ described that revelation came at different times and in different forms. Sometimes it came like the ringing of a bell, which was heavy and intense for him. Sometimes Jibrīl عليه السلام came in human form and taught him.

He ﷺ said:

“Sometimes it comes to me like the ringing of a bell, and that is the hardest on me, then it departs from me, and I understand what has been said. And sometimes the angel comes to me in the form of a man, and he speaks to me and I understand what he says.”
(Reported by al‑Bukhari and Muslim)

These various forms came repeatedly during his life, each time bringing a new part of the Qur’an, connected to the ongoing journey of the Prophet ﷺ and his community.

The Qur’an as a Living Journey, Not a Single Event

From the First Verse to the Last

The beginning of revelation started with the first verses of Surah Al‑‘Alaq in the cave of Hira, which you will meet in detail in another chapter. Here we notice that Allah’s very first words to the Prophet ﷺ were a command to read, to seek knowledge, and to recognize the Lord who creates:

“Recite in the name of your Lord who created,
Created man from a clinging substance.
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous,
Who taught by the pen,
Taught man that which he knew not.”
(Qur’an 96:1‑5)

From this first revelation, the Qur’an continued to descend in parts until the Prophet ﷺ completed his mission. Near the end of his life, a verse was revealed that announced the completion of the religion:

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
(Qur’an 5:3)

Another verse, revealed shortly before his death, reminded the believers to be ready to return to Allah:

“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.”
(Qur’an 2:281)

The companions understood that revelation had traced the entire path of the Prophet’s life, from the first command to read, to the final reminder of standing before Allah.

Gradual Revelation and the Feeling of Companionship with Allah

Because of gradual revelation, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions felt that Allah was constantly caring for them and guiding them. Whenever something happened, they expected revelation. Whenever their enemies plotted, Allah answered with verses. When they made mistakes, verses corrected them but also opened the door of hope.

For example, in the story of the Battle of Uhud, where Muslims suffered losses due to their own mistake, Allah revealed verses that were both a lesson and a comfort:

“And do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.”
(Qur’an 3:139)

This feeling that Allah is near and responding is one of the spiritual fruits of gradual revelation. The Qur’an was not simply given once. It was lived, day after day, year after year.

Lessons for Muslims Today

Although revelation has ended, the way the Qur’an was revealed teaches important lessons for those who wish to follow Islam now.

First, it shows that true change in a person’s life should be gradual and steady. Faith grows step by step. A beginner should focus first on knowing Allah, believing in the Hereafter, and loving the Qur’an, before trying to carry every detailed ruling at once.

Allah says:

“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Why was the Qur’an not revealed to him all at once?’ Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.”
(Qur’an 25:32)

If Allah chose gradual guidance for the best of creation, then believers should also allow themselves time to learn, to practice, and to improve without despair. The story of gradual revelation also reminds Muslims to keep returning to the Qur’an in all situations, just as the first community did, and to see it as a living guide, not a closed book.

Finally, gradual revelation shows that Islam is suitable for real human life. It is not disconnected from events and emotions. It came down in the middle of joy and sorrow, fear and hope, peace and war. For a new student of Islam, this means that the Qur’an can speak to every stage of your own life, little by little, as you grow in understanding and faith.