Judean Desert, West Bank – Palestine
Coordinates: 31.874515, 35.430407
The Mount of Temptation (Arabic: Jabal al-Arbaeen) is said to be the hill in the Judean Desert where Hz. Isa عليه اسلام was tempted by the Shaytan.
The mountain is also known as Jebel Quarantul. Both names arise from a pronunciation of the Latin word Quarentena, meaning 40, the no. of days Hz. Isa عليه اسلام fasted on the mountain (acc. to christian sources).
The exact location of temptations is unknown and impossible to determine. However the site where Devil tempted to turn stone into bread is located in a cave halfway up the mountain. The offer of all the kingdom of the world in return for worshipping the Devil (To which Hz. Isa عليه اسلام replied no, we’re to worship and serve only Allah) is located on the summit.
The mountain approximately 366 metres (1,201 ft) high, towering from the northwest over the town of Jericho in the West Bank.
Story acc to Christians sources
After being baptized by Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام, Hz. Isa عليه اسلام was tempted by the Shaytan (Devil) for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Desert.
During this time, Satan came to Hz. Isa عليه اسلام and tried to tempt him. Hz. Isa عليه اسلام having refused each temptation, Satan then departed and Hz. Isa عليه اسلام returned to Galilee to begin his mission of spreading the message of oneness of Allah. During this entire time of spiritual battle, Hz. Isa عليه اسلام was fasting.
Monastery
A 4th-century Byzantine monastery was built on the ruins of a Hasmonean fortress.
The present Monastery of the Temptation, reconstructed at the end of the 19th century, seems to grow out of the mountain. The northern half is cut into a sheer cliff, while the southern half is supported at only one end into space.
Greek Orthodox hoped to raise another monastery on the top of the mount, but ran out of money.
Know This
Access to the summit is by a 30-minute trek up a steep path — passing through the cliffhanging monastery on the way — or by a 5-minute cable car ride from Tel Jericho
The summit of the mount, about 360 metres above sea level, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Jordan Valley.
Note: Some of the information in this article comes from Christians sources.
