Mecca Sharif, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates: 21.458056, 39.861389
Jabal an-Nour (Mountain of the Light) is a mountain near Mecca in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia.
The mountain houses the grotto or cave of Hira, which holds tremendous significance for Muslims throughout the world, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have spent a great deal of time in this cave meditating, and it is widely believed that it was here that he ﷺ received his first revelation, which consisted of the first five ayats of Surah Al-Alaq from the angel Hz. Jibra’il عليه اسلام
Taking 1750 walking steps to reach, the cave itself is about 3.7 m (12 ft) in length and 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) in width.
Before Hz. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ first revelation, he ﷺ was said to have pleasant dreams. Among these dreams were signs that his Prophethood was starting to appear, and signs that the stones in Mecca would greet him with the Salaam. These dreams lasted for six months.
An increasing need for solitude led Hz. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ to seek seclusion and meditation in the rocky hills which surrounded Mecca.
There he would retreat to the cave for one month, each year, engaging in taḥannuth (تَحَنُّث).
He would take provisions along with him during this retreat, and would feed the poor that would come to him. Then before returning home to his family for more provisions he would circumambulate the Kaaba seven times, or however many times Allah willed; then he would go home.
The majority of Muslims do not consider visiting the cave as an integral part of the Hajj. Nonetheless many visit it for reasons of personal pleasure and spirituality, and though some consider it a place of worship, this view conflicts with Salafist interpretations of Islamic ritual.
It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mecca Sharif.
The mountain itself is barely 640 m (2,100 ft) tall; nonetheless one to two hours are needed to make the strenuous hike to the cave.
There are 1750 steps to the top which, even for a fit individual, can take anywhere between half an hour and one-and-a-half hours.
Appearance
One physical feature that differentiates Jabal al-Nour from other mountains and hills is its unusual summit, which makes it look as if two mountains are on top of each other.
The top of this mountain in the mountainous desert is one of the loneliest of places.
However, the cave within, which faces the direction of the Kaaba, is even more isolated.
While standing in the courtyard back then, people could only look over the surrounding rocks. Nowadays, people can see the surrounding rocks as well as buildings that are hundreds of meters below and hundreds of meters to many kilometers away.
Hira is both without water or vegetation other than a few thorns. Hira is higher than Thabir, and is crowned by a steep and slippery peak, which Hz. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with some companions once climbed.
Know This
To avoid the crowds make sure you reach there at early morning, before sunrise.
Something noteworthy is that the approach to the cave itself is through a narrow pass between the rocks.
Depending on your physical abilities, the climb takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours. Be sure to bring plenty of water and, if climbing when it’s dark, a flashlight.
Weather can be uncomfortable even if you want to offer 2 nafal over there. However the feeling over that place can not described in words. Having an umbrella can ease your journey.
