The Cave of Thawr, situated about 4 km south of the Haram Mosque on the road to Arafat, has a base-to-summit height of 458 meters, requiring approximately 1.5 hours on foot to reach. It holds historical significance as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Hz. Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) sought refuge in this cave for three nights during their migration.
During their stay, Hz. Abu Bakr entered the cave first to ensure safety, and then Prophet Muhammad (SAW) followed. Hz. Abu Bakr’s son, Abdullah, moved among the polytheists in the daytime, gathering information, while their servant, Amr ibn Fuhayra, led his sheep in the vicinity, both to erase Abdullah’s tracks and to provide milk.
Three remarkable miracles unfolded in this cave:
- A snake bit Hz. Abu Bakr’s foot, and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) applied his blessed saliva, instantly relieving the pain and providing a cure.
- Spiders spun webs, and pigeons built nests at the cave’s entrance by the command of Allah, creating an illusion of undisturbed surroundings.
- When the polytheists approached the cave, one among them considered searching inside. Umayya bin Khalaf dissuaded him, pointing out that spiders had woven webs and birds had built nests there even before Muhammad’s birth. Hz. Abu Bakr observed the situation, expressing concern that the polytheists might see them. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reassured him, stating, “Be silent, O Abu Bakr, for the third among us is Allah.”
The Prophet spent three nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in the cave as a precaution, creating the impression that they had left Mecca. After three days, Abdullah bin Urayqit, their appointed guide, arrived at the foothill of Sevr Mountain at dawn on Monday. Accompanied by two camels, he set out towards Medina using the coastal route. This marked the conclusion of their hiding and the beginning of their journey to Medina.