Cave of Hira'

For other uses, see Cave of Hira' (disambiguation).

Hira (Template:Lang-ar Template:Semxlit) or the Cave of Hira (غار حراء Template:Semxlit) is a cave on the peak name Jabal an-Nūr in the Hijaz region of present day Saudi Arabia.

It is most notable for being the location where Muslims believe Muhammad, received his first revelations from Allah through the angel Jibril.

Muhammad lived in this cave while he received messages from God and therefore refrained from leaving for a prolonged period of time. Muhammad resided here to meditate and contemplate his life and the world around him. He would often take some food and water with him and not return for days.

The cave itself was no more than 4 yards by 1.75 yards in length and width, respectively. Although it was small, he invited people to go meditate with him (especially during Ramadan).

This seclusion (privacy for Muhammad), in addition to the inevitable detachment that comes from living in a cave, further separated Muhammad from the impurities that he saw in the world around him.

The first revelation came in 610, also known as the Night of Power in the Quran, the holy text of Islam. It is believed that this revelation came to him from the same angel that is thought to have visited Abraham, the Prophet of Christianity and Judaism.

Muhammad's adopted son visited and took messages to and from him and the rest of the people. In particular, Muhammad's uncle's wife believed that he was committing blasphemy by living in the cave claiming to have a relationship with God. Nevertheless, his uncle had faith in his favorite nephew. Muhammad's legendary honesty which earned him the nickname "Al-Amin" convinced most that he was a truthful and righteous man. Muhammad's uncle proclaimed that Muhammad was speaking the truth and few dared disagree with Muhammad's uncle who was an immensely powerful and wealthy man. According to Muslim tradition, many of Muhammad's relatives were jealous of Muhammad. The tradition claims in fact that during his meditations in the Cave of Hira the poor goatherd who could neither read nor write could inexplicably produce what came to be regarded as masterpieces of literature. Although scribbled down on animal skin before literary Arabic was codified after Muhammad's death, these masterpieces were and are still thought to be faultless in factual content and of the highest linguistic value. Most Muslims in fact still believe today that the the Quran is the greatest piece of literature ever created in the Arabic language.

External links

• - Pictures 4 and 5 are of Jabal an-Nūr and the Hira cave.
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