Timeline: The Revelation of the Qur'an

The Qur'an was not revealed all at once. Over roughly 23 years it came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in stages — first in Mecca, then, after the Hijra, in Medina. The timeline below marks the major moments of that revelation. Use the filters to focus on the Meccan or Medinan period.

The revelation of the Qur'an unfolded over about 23 years, from the first words in the cave of Hira around 610 CE through the Meccan and Medinan periods to the final verses in 632 CE.

AllMeccan periodMedinan period

1. c. 610 CE

   The first revelation — “Iqra”¹⁵⁸

   In the cave of Hira near Mecca, the angel Jibril brings the opening words: “Read, in the name of your Lord who created.”

   Meccan period
2. c. 610–613 CE

   The early, private call⁵⁶

   For about three years the message spreads quietly among family and close companions.

   Meccan period
3. c. 613 CE

   Public preaching begins²⁵

   The command “proclaim openly what you are commanded” marks the move to public teaching in Mecca.

   Meccan period
4. 615 CE

   First migration to Abyssinia⁵⁸

   Under persecution, a group of Muslims migrates to the Christian kingdom of Abyssinia for refuge.

   Meccan period
5. 622 CE

   The Hijra — Mecca to Medina⁸⁶⁷

   The Prophet ﷺ and his followers migrate to Medina — the turning point that begins the Medinan period of revelation.

   Medinan period

   More

   The migration to Medina also marks year one of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and a shift in the character of the revelations toward law and community life.

6. 624 CE

   Revelations of the Medinan years³⁵

   Surahs revealed in Medina, such as al-Anfal around the Battle of Badr, address the new community's trials and its law.

   Medinan period
7. 632 CE

   The final verses⁴⁹

   Near the Farewell Pilgrimage comes “This day I have perfected for you your religion,” among the last revealed verses.

   Medinan period

Dates for the earliest years are approximate and follow mainstream scholarship; the years of the Hijra (622 CE) and the Farewell Pilgrimage (632 CE) are firmly established. For the collection and standardization of the text that followed, see The Rightly-Guided Caliphs.