Analysis of the narrations of Urwah ibn Zubair of the beginning of revelation based on the opinions of Gorke and Schoeler

This study examines the narrations of ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr concerning the beginning of revelation, which hold a distinguished position as one of the earliest accounts in Islamic history. However, the existence of multiple and at times conflicting versions has made scrutinizing their authenticity and original content a significant research challenge. Aiming to analyze and reconstruct ʿUrwah's original narrative of the beginning of revelation and to identify its constituent elements, this research employs the methodology of Andreas Görke and Gregor Schoeler through a comparative analysis of various versions, particularly the narration transmitted by al-Zuhrī and the independent narration of Hishām ibn ʿUrwah. The findings indicate that, despite differences in chains of transmission (isnād) and textual content (matn), key common elements can be identified as part of ʿUrwah's original report. These elements include the veridical dreams, the Prophet's distress, Khadījah's consolation and praise of him using set phrases, the meeting with Waraqah ibn Nawfal, and the eventual identification of the angel as "namus." Based on these core elements, it can be argued that although al-Zuhrī's version presents the most famous and complete form of the narrative, its core essence can be traced back to ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr.