or One terrible in power; and in the Traditions the agent of inspiration is generally spoken of as "an angel" (malak).[1] It is, therefore, not quite certain through what agency Muhammad believed himself to be inspired of God.
According to Ayeshah, one of the Prophet's wives, the revelation was first communicated in dreams. Ayeshah relates[2]:—"The first revelations which the Prophet received were in true dreams; and he never dreamt but it came to pass as regularly as the dawn of day. After this the Prophet was fond of retirement, and used to seclude himself in a cave in mount Híráa and worship there day and night. He would, whenever he wished, return to his family at Mecca, and then go back again, taking with him the necessaries of life. Thus he continued to return to Khadíjah from time to time, until one day the revelation came down to him, and the angel (malak)[3] came
