Cave Hira is traditionally identified as the place of Muhammad’s first Quranic revelation.
Cave Hira, also called Ghar Hira, is located on Jabal al-Nour near Mecca. Islamic tradition says that Muhammad received the first revelation there through the angel Gabriel. The opening verses traditionally associated with this event are the beginning of Quran chapter 96, Al-Alaq.
The first revelation is commonly dated to about 610 CE, when Muhammad was around 40 years old. This event marks the beginning of his prophetic mission and the revelation that Muslims believe continued over approximately 23 years.
Cave Hira is sometimes confused with Cave Thawr, another cave near Mecca. Cave Thawr is associated with Muhammad’s migration to Medina, not with the first revelation. The cave’s connection is relevant to Islam’s central declaration of faith and the religious framework in which the Five Pillars developed.