আন্তর্জাতিক
Why is the historical 'Cave of Hira' so important?
There is no end to people's interest to know about Jabale Noor or Hera Cave. Prophet Muhammad (sm.) used to meditate in this cave. It was not easy to get there then. There was no easy way up. The incident of one night in 610. The Prophet (PBUH) was engaged in the worship of Allah in Hera cave.
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At that time, Allah's Messenger Jibraeel (A.S.) suddenly appeared there. A verse was shown and said to prophet, that-"Read".
The Prophet (peace be upon him) expressed incompetence.
The age of the Prophet (PBUH) was around forty. Due to his clean and rigid personality, his mental and thinking distance from his natives increased a lot by that time. In this situation, the Prophet (PBUH) became lonely. To pass the day in solitude, he took an umbrella and water and began to pass the time by going to the cave of Hera Hill, a couple of miles from Mecca. Hera Cave is located on the northeast side of Masjid al-Haram. The height of the hill on which this cave is located is about 642 meters. The small cave is four yards in length and two and a quarter yards in width. The bottom of the cave is not that deep. The location of this cave is at the junction of the upper desert next to a small path. Reaching this cave was not at all easy during the Prophet's time. There was no easy way up. Hera cave is not on the highest peak of the mountain but to get there you have to climb the highest peak of the mountain. There is no alternative way to reach the Hera cave except by climbing up there. About 1200 steps have to be crossed in this way. At present, it takes more than an hour and a half for the able-bodied to get up. You have to rest several times to get to the top of the mountain. As there is no water or vegetation around, it is more difficult for the friend to cross this path. The mountain on which Hera Cave is located is now known as Jabale Noor. After the Prophet (PBUH) started traveling to this cave, his wife Bibi Khadijah (RA) also used to go with him, staying somewhere near the Prophet. The Prophet (PBUH) used to spend the entire month of Ramadan in this cave.
The age of the Prophet (PBUH) was around forty. Due to his clean and rigid personality, his mental and thinking distance from his natives increased a lot by that time. In this situation, the Prophet (PBUH) became lonely. To pass the day in solitude, he took an umbrella and water and began to pass the time by going to the cave of Hera Hill, a couple of miles from Mecca. Hera Cave is located on the northeast side of Masjid al-Haram. The height of the hill on which this cave is located is about 642 meters. The small cave is four yards in length and two and a quarter yards in width. The bottom of the cave is not that deep. The location of this cave is at the junction of the upper desert next to a small path. Reaching this cave was not at all easy during the Prophet's time. There was no easy way up. Hera cave is not on the highest peak of the mountain but to get there you have to climb the highest peak of the mountain. There is no alternative way to reach the Hera cave except by climbing up there. About 1200 steps have to be crossed in this way. At present, it takes more than an hour and a half for the able-bodied to get up. You have to rest several times to get to the top of the mountain. As there is no water or vegetation around, it is more difficult for the friend to cross this path. The mountain on which Hera Cave is located is now known as Jabale Noor. After the Prophet (PBUH) started traveling to this cave, his wife Bibi Khadijah (RA) also used to go with him, staying somewhere near the Prophet. The Prophet (PBUH) used to spend the entire month of Ramadan in this cave.
Image Source: Internet
Passers-by used to feed the poor. The rest of the time was spent in the worship of Allah. He thought deeply about the charisma of the visible and effective nature of the world. He could not find peace when he saw the idolatry and filthy living of the natives. But there was no clear path, no method, no counter-conventional program in front of him, on which he could find peace and comfort by spending his life. After the Prophet passed the age of forty, signs of prophethood began to shine on the horizon of his life. These signs were revealed through dreams. Whenever he had a dream it appeared like Subhey Sadiq. Six months passed through this state, which was the forty-sixth part of the Prophet's time limit. The period of Prophethood was 23 years. He was absorbed in continuous meditation in Heraghuha After days, months and years had passed in this way, in the third year of his sojourn in the cave of Hera, Allah wanted to shower the people of the world with His mercy, and bestowed Prophethood on the Prophet (PBUH). According to the evidence of history and the information obtained by studying various books including the Qur'an, it is known that the first revelation came on the 21st night of the month of Ramadan. The day was Monday. According to Christian reckoning, the day was 10th August 610 AD. According to lunar reckoning, the age of the Prophet (PBUH) at that time was forty years six months, and two days and according to solar reckoning, it was 39 years 3 months, and 22 days.
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Jibraeell (A.S.) came to Hera's cave with the first revelation. Hazrat Ayesha (ra) gave a detailed description of this incident. The Prophet (PBUH) used to be engrossed in worship in the cave of Hera and during this time he did not return home for a long time. Only when the food was finished would he go home and return to the cave with the food. At such a time, Jibraeel (A.S.) came to the Prophet and said to him, 'Read'.The Prophet (PBUH) said I do not know how to read. Jibraeel (A.S.) hugged him to his chest and pressed him hard. Then again when the Prophet was asked to read, he still admitted that he was unable to read. After that, the angel hugged him twice more in the same way. Then he said, 'Recite in the name of your Lord who created.' The first five verses of Surah Al-Alak of the Holy Quran were revealed. After these verses were revealed, the Prophet (PBUH) returned home from the cave of Hera. The Prophet (PBUH) was quite scared at that time. Bibi Khadija sheltered the Prophet and took him to her cousin Waraqah Ibn Nawfel Ibn Abdul Ozia. Waraka was the first to confirm to the Prophet that the angel who brought the revelation was the angel Jibraeel.
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A few days later, when Waraka died, the revelations suddenly stopped. According to a narration by Ibn Hisham, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stayed in Hera Cave for some time and fulfilled the prescribed period even when the revelation was stopped. Later he returned to Makkah. There is disagreement as to the period of suspension of the revelation, but it is reported by Ibn Abbas that it was suspended for a few days. Then Hazrat Jibraeel (A.S.) again appeared to the Prophet with revelation. There are many memories of Nabiji around Hera hill. Once the Prophet climbed this mountain with some companions. Then the hill started shaking. A few days later, when Waraka died, the revelations suddenly stopped. According to a narration by Ibn Hisham, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stayed in Hera Cave for some time and fulfilled the prescribed period even when the revelation was stopped. Later he returned to Makkah. There is disagreement as to the period of suspension of the revelation, but it is reported by Ibn Abbas that it was suspended for a few days. Then Hazrat Jibraeel (A.S.) again appeared to the Prophet with revelation. There are many memories of Nabiji around Hera hill. Once the Prophet climbed this mountain with some companions. Then the hill started shaking.
Image Source: Internet
The face of Hera Cave faces the Kaaba. Although it is quite difficult to reach the Hera Cave, it is a favorite place for pilgrims and tourists because of the memory of the beloved Prophet. Every year during the Hajj season, an average of about 5,000 pilgrims arrive at the Hera Cave. In the past years, due to a lack of necessary renovation work, Hera Cave has lost its beauty. Sources said that the main structure was also damaged due to the excessive movement of visitors and various items left behind. Although there was a plan for renovation for a long time, it was not possible due to the rush of pilgrims from different parts of the world to the Hera cave during normal times. This reform was done during the Corona lockdown. As part of the renovation work, the stairs were widened and the road widened. Various stone inscriptions have been removed, along with the removal of unwanted stones around the cave. Various items left by the Hajids, buried amulets and charms and temporary structures have been removed from the side of the cave. Now there are no writings or drawings in the Hera Caves. Until now, many people used to write different things with ink on stones to fulfill various vows.
