How was the Quran Revealed?

The Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام), Gabriel, brought the Quran to the Prophet of Allaah (صلى الله عليه و سلم). The Quran did not come down from heaven to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) all at once; rather the Revelation came down to him piecemeal, according to events and circumstances. The Quran was sent down from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) to the first heaven on Laylat al-Qadr (the night of the Decree) all at once, then after that it was sent down in stages over twenty-three years. 

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) say:

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” [Quran: Surah al Bakarah 2: Ayah 185]

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” [Quran: Surah al Qadr 97: Ayah 1]

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (رضی اللہ عنہ) said, concerning the Ayah “Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” The Quran was sent down all at once on Laylat al-Qadr, then Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) sent it down to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) bit by bit. “And those who disbelieve say: Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once? Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.” [Quran: Surah al Furqan 25: Ayah 32]. [an-Nasaa’i].

There are Ayahs in the Quran which affirm the wisdom behind the Quran being revealed to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) peacemeal: 

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says:

“And those who disbelieve say: Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once? Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.” [Quran: Surah al Furqan 25: Ayah 32]. 

Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Rahman as-S’adi (رحمه الله) said: That is because every time something of the Quran was revealed to him, it increased him in certainty and steadfastness, especially when there was cause for anxiety. The fact that the Quran was revealed when new developments occurred meant that it had greater impact and was more reassuring to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And that was more effective than if it had been revealed before that, then was remembered when the new developments occurred.  

“And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages,” means We revealed it slowly and sent it gradually. All of this indicates that Allah was taking care of His Book, the Quran, and His Messenger, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), as He sent down His Book in accordance with the situations faced by the Messenger and as needed to address unfolding issues. End quote from Tafsir as-S’adi 

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says:

“And (it is) a Quran which We have divided (into parts), in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And We have revealed it by stages.” [Quran: Surah al Isra' 17: Ayah 106]. 

Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Rahman as-S’adi (رحمه الله) said: “at intervals” means at an easy pace, so that they might ponder it and think about its meanings, and derive knowledge from it. “And We have revealed it by stages,” means: bit by bit, piecemeal over twenty-three years. End quote from Tafsir as- S’adi.