The Cave of Hira is located in a mountain, and its name is “Hira,” which is why it is referred to as “Hira Cave.” While the mountain is called Hira, it is more commonly known worldwide as Jabal al-Noor or Jabal Hira. Jabal al-Noor means “The Mountain of Light” because it was here that the first divine, illuminated Quranic revelation was sent to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by Allah. This event, which occurred on this mountain, was not only a blessing for the Muslim community but also for all of humanity, as the Quran brought light to the world. This is why the mountain is known as Jabal al-Noor, or “The Mountain of Light,” worldwide.
It is the mountain illuminated by the first light of the Holy Quran revealed by Allah. It was in the cave on this mountain where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to meditate and receive revelations. This is why the cave is known globally as Ghar Hira, or the Cave of Hira.
Height of the Cave of Hira
The height of the Cave of Hira is approximately 1,000 feet. The cave is located on the Jabal al-Noor mountain, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) meditated. Reaching the cave was not easy at that time. There was no simple path to ascend. The cave is located slightly below the summit of the mountain, and in order to reach it, one must climb to the top of the mountain. There is no alternative route to reach the Cave of Hira other than ascending to the highest peak of the mountain.
Position and Dimensions of the Cave
The Cave of Hira is quite small, and the space inside is so limited that it may appear astonishing upon first sight. This is the very place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to engage in meditation. The cave measures 4 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width. It is difficult to stand straight inside due to the limited height. Although the mountain’s total height is almost 1,000 feet above the ground level.
History of the Cave of Hira
The most significant feature of this cave is that Allah revealed His message to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) here. Before he received prophethood, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to come here for spiritual practice and would stay for extended periods. According to a narration from Sahih Bukhari, it was in this cave that the angel Jibril (Gabriel) first came with the revelation.
The revelation of the Quran began in this cave. Before the revelation, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to come here for worship. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) started receiving prophetic dreams, and whatever he saw in his dreams would occur exactly as he saw it during the day. As a result, he preferred solitude and began retreating to the Cave of Hira, where he spent several days engaged in worship. He would take a small supply of food and water with him. When he felt the need for food, he would return to his wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) to bring more provisions.
In another narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the Cave of Hira when suddenly the angel appeared and said, “Read!” The Prophet replied, “I cannot read.” The angel then grabbed him firmly and squeezed him. After releasing him, the angel said again, “Read!” The Prophet repeated, “I cannot read.” The angel grabbed him again and squeezed him tightly. Then the angel let go and said, “Read!” The Prophet again responded, “I cannot read.” Finally, Jibril recited the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot of blood. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.”
According to a narration from Abu Hurairah, he said that the Prophet (peace be upon him), along with Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, and Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them), were once sitting on a rock on the mountain of Hira. The rock started to move, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to it, “Be calm, for only a prophet, a Siddiq (truthful one), or a martyr is upon you.” (Muslim)
How long did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stay in the Cave of Hira?
According to basic sources, such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) first received revelation, he was meditating in the cave. It is generally believed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) received the first revelation in 610 CE, and he continued to spend some months or years there afterward.
In other words, he did not stay in the Cave of Hira permanently, but he spent time there initially for meditation and connecting with Allah, during which the revelation began. The exact duration of his stay is somewhat debated in historical sources, but it is commonly stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent around six months to one year there.
Can you go inside the Cave of Hira?
The cave is located about 50 meters below the mountain peak. To reach the cave, one must descend from the summit. There are no proper steps for ascending or descending the mountain; it requires climbing along the slopes of the mountain. To prevent people from getting lost, white pillars have been placed on both sides of the path. The entrance to the cave faces north and has a height equal to that of an average person. Only about five people can sit inside at a time.
How long does it take to climb to the Cave of Hira?
It takes around an hour or more for a strong and capable person to climb to the cave. The steep path of about 1,000 feet requires several breaks to ascend.
From the ground level, one can drive about 200 to 250 feet up the mountain. After that, the Cave of Hira is located at an elevation of 890 feet. Another 100 feet of path needs to be traversed to reach the cave.
Distance of the Cave of Hira from Makkah
The cave is located to the north of Makkah. The famous Islamic geographer Ya’qub al-Hamawi mentioned that it is about three miles from the Masjid al-Haram. Currently, the developed areas have extended beyond the Hira Mountain. The distance from Masjid al-Haram to Jabal al-Noor is approximately 5 kilometers. The mountain is about 2 miles away from the Holy Kaaba.
In the past, the Kaaba could be clearly seen from the cave, but due to the construction of high buildings in Makkah, the Kaaba is no longer visible from there. Jabal al-Noor is the highest mountain in Makkah, and its peak is visible from all directions in the city.
Jabal al-Noor holds a place of great respect in the hearts of Muslims as the mountain that first spread the light of guidance to humanity. That is why it is also known as the “Mountain of Light.”
