Jabal al-Nour and the Cave of Hira: where the Qur’an began

The first revelation

Before his prophethood, the Prophet ﷺ loved to be alone. He would take food and water and stay for nights in the Cave of Hira, worshipping Allah, then return to Khadijah (RA) for more supplies (Bukhari 3).

One night the angel Jibril (AS) came to him in the cave and said, “Read!” The Prophet ﷺ said, “I am not a reader.” After the angel pressed him three times, he received the first verses: “Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clinging clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know” (96:1–5).

He came home trembling and said, “Cover me.” Khadijah (RA) comforted him, and her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal told him this was the same angel who had come to Musa (AS).

The mountain and the cave

• Jabal al-Nour rises steeply over the north-east of Makkah, about 4 km from Masjid al-Haram
• The cave is a small gap between rocks just below and behind the summit, with room for only a few people at a time
• From inside, you look out over the valley in the direction of the Kaaba
• At the foot of the mountain there is a visitor area with an exhibition about the revelation, which is easy for everyone to visit

How hard is the climb?

The path is a long stairway of uneven steps cut into the rock, with some steep, narrow parts near the top. A fit adult takes about an hour or a little more to reach the cave, and less coming down. There are a few stalls and resting spots on the way.

• Best time: after Fajr, before the sun gets strong. Avoid midday in summer completely
• Wear proper shoes with grip, not slippers. Carry water and a small snack
• Do not climb in ihram sheets or with a heavy bag
• For elderly parents, the heart, knees or breathing, the visitor area at the foot is a better choice than the climb
• There can be a queue at the cave itself; be patient and leave space for others

What to do there, and what not to

There is no ritual for this place. The Prophet ﷺ did not return to climb it after his prophethood, and the Companions did not make it part of their worship. Visit it to remember how the Qur’an began, and to thank Allah for it.

Read the first verses of Surah al-Alaq, reflect, and make your own du’a anywhere. Do not rub the rocks, write on them, or leave cloth or papers there.