Hira

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For other uses, see Hira (disambiguation).

Hira or the Cave of Hira is a cave on the peak name Jabal al-Nour in the Hejaz region of present day Saudi Arabia.

It is most notable for being the location where Muslims believe Muhammad, received his first revelations from God (الله) through the angel Gabriel (جبريل).

Muhammad lived in this cave while he received messages from God and therefore refrained from leaving for a prolonged period of time. Muhammad resided here to meditate and contemplate his life and the world around him. He would often take some food and water with him and not return for days.

The cave itself was no more than 4 yards by 1.75 yards in length and width, respectively. Although it was small, he invited people to go meditate with him (especially during Ramadan). Not very many people took him up on his offer.^{[citation needed]}

This seclusion (privacy for Muhammad), in addition to the inevitable detachment that comes from living in a cave, further separated Muhammad from the impurities that he saw in the world around him.

The first revelation came in 610, also known as the Night of Power in the Quran, the Holy text of Islam. This revelation came to him from the same angel that is believed to have visited Abrahim, the Christian prophet.

Islam has its roots in the Arabic language because it is the language that Muhammad spoke and thus the Quran is in Arabic. That does not mean that Arabic is held in an esteemed position amongst languages because all semitic languages are considered of equal stature. The Bible which was revealed in Aramaic and the Torah which was revealed in Hebrew are of no less significance according to the teachings of Muhammad. Nevertheless, Muslims are wary when reading the Bible and Torah because there are so many versions, sometimes contradicting each other. Whereas there is only one Quran and not one letter has been deleted or added since it was revealed 1400 years ago.

Muhammad's adopted son visited and took messages to and from him and the rest of the people. In particular, Muhammad's uncle's wife believed that Muhammad was committing blasphemy by living in the cave claiming to have a relationship with God. Nevertheless, his uncle had faith in his favourite nephew. Muhammad's legendary honesty which earned him the nickname "Al-Amin" convinced most that he was a truthful and righteous man. Muhammad's uncle proclaimed that Muhammad was speaking the truth and few dared disagree with Muhammad's uncle who was an immensely powerful and wealthy man. Many of Muhammad's relatives were jealous that Muhammad, despite being a poor goatherd who could neither read nor write and was n complete ignoramus of low social standing, was unexplainably producing masterpieces of literature during his meditation at the Cave of Hira. The masterpieces were faultless in factual content and of the highest linguistic value. Until today, the Quran is still considered to be the greatest piece of literature ever created in the arabic language.