فترة انقطاع الوحي
The Pause in Revelation (Fatrah)
12 BH (610 CE)
Makkah مكة المكرمة
After the first revelation, there was a pause (fatrah) in the coming of revelation. During this period, the Prophet ﷺ experienced great anxiety and longing, yearning for the angel to return. This pause lasted for a period scholars differ about — ranging from a few days to several months.
Why this matters
The pause served to deepen the Prophet's ﷺ longing for divine communication and to prepare him for the continuous mission ahead. When revelation resumed with the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir, it marked the beginning of his active mission to call people to Allah.
Quran references
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمُدَّثِّرُ قُمْ فَأَنذِرْ وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ وَٱلرُّجْزَ فَٱهْجُرْ وَلَا تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ وَلِرَبِّكَ فَٱصْبِرْ
Surah Al-Muddaththir, 1-7
O you wrapped in garments! Arise and warn! And magnify your Lord! And purify your garments! And keep away from all impurity! And do not give to get more. And for the sake of your Lord, be patient.
Hadith references
Sahih al-Bukhari, #4
Narrated by: Jabir ibn Abdullah
“The Prophet ﷺ said while speaking about the pause of revelation: 'While I was walking, I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had come to me in the Cave of Hira sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I was terrified and went home saying: Wrap me! Wrap me! Then Allah revealed: O you wrapped in garments, arise and warn...'”