The Cave of Hira near Mecca is linked in Islamic tradition to Muhammad’s first Quranic revelation.
The cave is located on Jabal al-Nour, the Mountain of Light, northeast of Mecca. Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad received the first revelation there through the angel Gabriel around 610 CE, during the month of Ramadan.
The opening verses traditionally associated with this event are from Surah Al-Alaq, beginning with the command often translated as “Read” or “Recite.” The event marks the beginning of Muhammad’s prophetic mission and the revelation of the Quran.
Cave of Hira should not be confused with the Cave of Thawr, another important site near Mecca. Islamic tradition associates Cave of Thawr with Muhammad’s migration journey from Mecca to Medina, rather than with the first revelation.