The Hira cave is one of these symbolic places of Islam. It fascinates and interests the whole world because of its history and the special events that took place there.
The team Haramain Voyages takes you on a trip down memory lane to revisit this extraordinary story...
The history of the Hira cave...
This place has been famous since the day on which the Prophet Muhammad ('alayhi salat wa salam) received Revelation. In other words, that the Qur'an was revealed to him, through the intermediary of the Angel Gabriel (Jibril).
When he was 40 years old, the Messenger of Allah withdrew to this cave for a month to devote himself to mediation. It was then that, during the Last 10 days of Ramadan, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him, commanding him to read.
On this subject, see :
Ibn 'Abbas said: "It was revealed in the month of Ramadan on the night of destiny, on a blessed night, of'all at once. Then it was descended on the positions of the stars in line in the months and days." (Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim 1/310)
This is how the very first sura of the Holy Koran was revealed:
- Read, in the name of your Lord who created,
- Who created man with a grip.
- Read! Your Lord is the Most Noble,
- Who taught by the pen [the calamus],
- Taught man what he did not know.
(...) Sura Al Alaq, The Adherence.
Although revealed first, this Meccan sura appears at number 96 in the Moushaf, out of a total of 114 suras. The highest position obviously goes to Sura Al Fatiha, The Opening.
Some information about this cave...
La famous Hira cave is therefore at Mekkaon the Mount Jabal-An-NourIt is essentially recognisable by its camel hump shape. This cavity is just 4 kilometres to the north of the KaabaIt faces the entrance to the building.
What's more, before the Revelation the Prophet ('alayhi salat wa salam) liked to take refuge there. In particular to observe spiritual retreat, to isolate himself and meditate.
Visiting the Hira cave: Sunnah or innovation?
Before performing any religious act, it is important to know whether it has a basis in Islam. Indeed, no one is safe from falling into innovation, or even worse, into shirk (association). May Allah preserve us from this.
Therefore, before going to certain places in Mecca, such as the grotto of Hira, it is advisable to make sure that this is lawful. The aim is above all to please our Lord.
Some scholars consider the visit to the cave of Hira to be an innovation. In other words, something invented, something that the Prophet and/or the pious predecessors did not do. (1)
On the other hand, there are other opinions that see no harm in this only if: "Generally speaking, if they (believers) go there purely for tourism and not out of any attachment to a belief towards these places, then, there is no harm." (2)
And Allah is more Knowledgeable.
(1) http://www.3ilmchar3i.net/article-23972623.html
(2) https://www.islamsounnah.com/est-il-permis-de-visiter-la-grotte-hira-arafat-mina-sheikh-salih-as-souhaymi/
THE HARAMAIN VOYAGES TEAM
