Mount Nour (Jabal al-Nour): Situated approximately 5 km northeast of Mecca, in close proximity to the Holy Mosque (Masjid al-Haram), this mountain encompasses the cave where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received his initial revelation. Dubbed “Jabal al-Nour” (Mountain of Light), the mountain earned its name due to the divine light of revelation that illuminated the path through this cave.
Ghar Hira: Positioned around 20 meters below the summit of Jabal al-Nour, this is the site where the first revelation was sent to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The cave’s dimensions measure about 3 meters in length, 1.30 meters in width, and 2 meters in height. Despite being labeled a cave, it essentially constitutes an irregular hollow space formed between stacked rocks, resembling a tunnel with open sides and a pointed arch. The interior space allows an individual to stand without their head touching the ceiling and lie down with ample width and length.
Even before the prophethood of Muhammad, certain individuals in Mecca who adhered to the religion preached by Prophet Abraham (AS), referred to as “Hanifs,” would retreat to places like Ghar Hira during the months of Rajab and Ramadan for seclusion and worship. Abdul-Muttalib, Prophet Muhammad’s grandfather, was among them and would occasionally withdraw 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.
Upon returning from the journey to Ta’if before the Hijra, Prophet Muhammad sought refuge in the Hira Cave while seeking someone’s protection to enter Mecca. At the age of 39, Prophet Muhammad started having 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.
Ultimately, 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, delivering the first revelation. In his true form, seated on a throne, Angel Gabriel said, “O Muhammad, I am Gabriel, and you are the Prophet of Allah.” Subsequently, he conveyed the first revelation, consisting of the initial five verses of Surah Al-Alaq (The Clot).
This event marked the initiation of Prophet Muhammad’s mission as a Prophet, transpiring in the Ghar Hira. The significance of Prophet Muhammad’s seclusion in the Cave of Hira and the commencement of his prophetic mission carries profound importance for both him personally and the Muslim community.