Mount Nour (Jabal al-Nour): Located about 5 km northeast of Mecca, near the Holy Mosque (Masjid al-Haram), this mountain holds the cave where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received his first revelation. It is called “Jabal al-Nour” (Mountain of Light) due to the divine light of revelation that guided people’s way through this cave.
Ghar Hira: Situated approximately 20 meters below the peak of Jabal al-Nour, this is the place where the first revelation was sent to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The cave’s dimensions are about 3 meters in length, 1.30 meters in width, and 2 meters in height. Despite being referred to as a cave, it is actually an irregular hollow space formed between stacked rocks, resembling a tunnel with open sides and a pointed arch. The interior space allows a person to stand with their head not touching the ceiling and lie down with sufficient width and length.
In Mecca, even before the prophethood of Muhammad, some individuals who adhered to the religion preached by Prophet Abraham (AS), known as “Hanifs,” would retreat to places like Ghar Hira during the months of Rajab and Ramadan for seclusion and worship. Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad, was among them and would occasionally retreat to the cave of Hira for devotion. It is likely that Prophet Muhammad, around the age of thirty-five, began visiting this cave during the months of Ramadan, following the tradition of his grandfather’s seclusion.
After returning from the journey to Ta’if before the Hijra, Prophet Muhammad took refuge in the Hira Cave while seeking someone’s protection to enter Mecca. At the age of 39, Prophet Muhammad began to have faithful dreams, and for the last six months of his life, he secluded himself in the cave, away from the city, homes, and people, engaging in contemplation.
Finally, on the 17th of Ramadan in the year 610 CE, when Prophet Muhammad was 40 years old, Angel Gabriel (AS) appeared to him in the Hira Cave, bringing the first revelation. Angel Gabriel appeared in his true form, seated on a throne, and said, “O Muhammad, I am Gabriel, and you are the Prophet of Allah.” Then, he conveyed the first revelation, consisting of the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq (The Clot).
This event marked the beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s mission as a Prophet, and it took place in the Ghar Hira. The significance of Prophet Muhammad’s seclusion in the Cave of Hira and the commencement of his prophetic mission holds great importance for both him personally and for the Muslim community.
