The initial fear and trembling experienced by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the first revelation were natural human reactions, not indicators of a demonic encounter.
The Prophet's Initial Reaction
When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation in the cave of Hira, he indeed experienced fear and trembling. This is well-documented in Sahih al-Bukhari, where it is narrated that he returned to his wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) in a state of anxiety, asking her to cover him.
"Then the angel came to him and said, 'Read!' The Prophet said, 'I am not a reader.' The angel took hold of him and pressed him until he could bear it no more... He returned to Khadijah and said, 'Cover me! Cover me!' She covered him until his fear was over."
Sahih al-Bukhari
Human Reaction to the Divine
The fear and distress experienced by the Prophet (PBUH) were natural human reactions to an extraordinary and overwhelming event. Encountering the divine is an awe-inspiring experience, and such a response is not unique to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran describes similar reactions from other prophets when they encountered angels or received revelations.
"When the angels appeared to them, they fell down in prostration and said, 'We are afraid of you!'"
Quran 15:52
This response underscores the profound impact that a genuine divine encounter can have on an individual, especially when it involves an angelic presence like that of Gabriel.
Khadijah's Reassurance and Validation
Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) wife, Khadijah, played a crucial role in reassuring him after the first revelation. She comforted him and sought verification from her cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal, a knowledgeable Christian scholar. Waraqa confirmed that the experience was indeed divine, telling the Prophet (PBUH) that the angel who appeared to him was the same one who had come to Moses. This validation from an external, respected source further affirms the divine nature of the revelation.
In summary, the initial fear experienced by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the first revelation was a natural human reaction to a profound spiritual encounter. The subsequent events and validations support the divine nature of the experience, distinguishing it from any demonic influence. Such responses are consistent with the awe and majesty of receiving God's message.