Jabal al-Nur and the Cave of Hira

Jabal al-Nur (the Mountain of Light): A mountain northeast of Mecca al-Mukarramah, about 5 km from the Masjid al-Haram, containing the cave in which the Prophet (s.a.w.) received the first revelation. It is called Jabal al-Nur (the Mountain of Light) because the light of revelation, which shows mankind the truest path, descended upon this cave.

Ghar Hira (the Cave of Hira): It lies about 20 metres below the summit of Jabal al-Nur. It is the place where the Prophet (s.a.w.) received the first revelation. The cave is 3 metres long, 1.30 metres wide, and 2 metres high. This cave holds an entirely singular place in the life of the Prophet (s.a.w.). Although referred to as a cave, it is in fact simply an irregular hollow between piled-up rock blocks, open at both ends and resembling a pointed, vaulted tunnel. The space inside is just high enough for a person to stand without their head touching the ceiling, and just wide and long enough to lie down. In Mecca al-Mukarramah, certain followers of the religion proclaimed by Abraham (a.s.) - known as Hanifs - would retreat here in seclusion during months such as Rajab and Ramadan. The Prophet's (s.a.w.) grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, was one of these, and would from time to time withdraw to the cave of Hira to devote himself to worship. The Prophet (s.a.w.), too, probably from around the age of thirty-five, began going to this cave, to which his grandfather had withdrawn, during the months of Ramadan. Whenever he came down from Hira he made it his custom to go first to the Masjid al-Haram and circle the Kaaba before going home. On his return from the journey to Ta'if before the Hijrah, the Prophet (s.a.w.) also waited in the Cave of Hira while seeking someone under whose protection he could enter Mecca. At the age of 39 the Prophet (s.a.w.) began to have true dreams. For the last six months he occupied himself entirely with contemplation in this cave, far from the city, from houses and from people. Finally, on the 17th of Ramadan in the year 610 CE, when he had turned forty, Gabriel (a.s.), whom he had never before encountered, brought him the first revelation for the first time in the Cave of Hira. The trustworthy Gabriel filled the whole horizon and appeared to the Prophet (s.a.w.) in his true form, seated upon a throne; he said, "O Muhammad! I am Gabriel, and you are the Prophet of Allah the Almighty," and then brought the first revelation, consisting of the first five verses of Surah al-Alaq. In this way the Prophet (s.a.w.) was charged with prophethood. This revelation, too, came in Ghar Hira. The period of seclusion the Prophet (s.a.w.) spent in Hira, and the beginning of his prophetic mission there, hold immense significance both for him personally and for Muslims.