Hira

Hira (Arabic: حراء‎ Ḥirāʾ ) or the Cave of Hira (غار حراء Ġār Ḥirāʾ ) is a cave about 3 kilometres (2 mi) from Mecca, on the mountain named Jabal al-Nour in the Hejaz region of present day Saudi Arabia.

It is notable for being the location where Muslims believe Muhammad received his first revelations from God through the angel Jebril (Arabic: جِبرِيل ) (alternatively spelled Jabraeel ((Arabic: جبرائيل ) as is pronounced in certain Quran recitation schools (Qira'at) and by some Arab tribes). To Christians, Jebril is known as Gabriel.

Taking 600 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. the cave is at a height of 270 m (890 ft) and the radius is 263.23 m (863.6 ft). During the Hajj around 5,000 Muslims climb up to the Hira cave daily to see the place where Muhammad is believed to have received the first revelation of the Quran on the Night of Power. Muslims do not typically consider seeing the cave an integral part of the pilgrimage. 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 scripture. -- while the Cave of Hira is an important place to know in the Al-sīra (prophetic biography) it is not considered as holy as other sites in Mecca (for example, the Masjid Al-Haram) and so under most interpretations of Islam, the same reward is received for praying here as any other place in Mecca.

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External links

• In pictures: Hajj preparations Pictures #4 and #5 are of Jabal an-NÅ«r and the Hira cave.