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Prophets experiences in The Cave of hira in Thawr

There are two major experiences of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in his life which are associated with the cave of Hira. Firstly the awarding of prophet hood in The Cave of hira in Ramadan in 622 AD has happened and secondly his stay in The Cave of Thawr Rabi ul Awal 622 AD during his emigration to Madinah.

How much time Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) used to spend in The Cave of Hira?

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to spend long time in The Cave of hira in the mount of light or jabal al nur Meditating and pondering over his relationship with Allah. By the age of 40 this exercise became more frequent and more intense.

Beautiful Event happened at The Cave of Hira

It was during such meditation that the arch Angel Hazrat jibril appeared before him and commanded the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) to read and the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) replied that he could not read. The command was repeated and Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) replied the same. Hazrat Jibrail (R.A) commanded him the third time and squeezed crushed his chest. This greatly terrified the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and finally with the third command, Hazrat Jibrail (R.A) recited:

“Recite in the name of your Lord who created, Created man from a clinging substance, Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous, Who taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not” [96: 1-5]

What Happen to Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) after the First Revelation?

These were the first five verses of the Quran revealed on the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) in the state of fear; the Prophet (P.B.U.H) rushed to his home and saw Jibril (R.A) again in his mighty form. He narrated the experiences to his wife Hazrat Khadija (R.A), who consoled and reassured him.

She later took the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) to her scholarly cousin, Warqah bin Naufil Who fully interpreted the episode and told the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) that Jibril (R.A) was the same Holy Spirit who had earlier brought divine revelation to two other prophets including prophet Musa. So Muhammad bin Abdullah was no more an ordinary man but a man chosen by Allah for a specific prophetic mission. He further warned Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) that the makkans driven him out of his own town in future years.

Experiences in cave of Thaur

After Suffering setbacks and Persecutions for about 13 years in Mecca, The Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) was divinely permitted to migrate to medina. Accordingly, he left Mecca, Accompanied by Abu-Bakr in Safar in 622 AD. Both went southwards toward Taif To hide in The Cave of Thaur. Both stayed there For three days and three nights till the first Rabi ul Awal .

Abu Bakr’s children, both Abdullah and Asma served during this period. Asma used to bring food while her brother used to keep an eye on the makkans who had been tracking down the Prophet (P.B.U.H). Some of them even managed to reach The Cave but were deterred by divine intervention. They saw a spider web at the mouth of The Cave with pigeons’ eggs on it and so abandoned the idea of any further pursuit.

Role of Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A)

Abu Baker took great pains to protect the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) and allowed himself to be bitten by a scorpion who had attempted to bite the Prophet (P.B.U.H). The Mohammad (P.B.U.H), throughout their stay in The Cave, kept consoling his comrade Abu Baker, expressing his faith in Allah’s support and security. Finally both left for Medina on the 4th day.

Significance of one of these experiences for the development of Islam

Experiences of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) in The Cave of Thor are indeed of paramount importance in the history of Islam. His stay in The Cave marked the frustration of his Makkans enemies on one hand, and survival and successful escape of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H).

The Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H)’s successful escape from the cave marked the end of one and starts of another phase in the history of Islam. The Makkan period of his prophetic mission came to an end and the Madinian chapter of growth of Islam started. He then be a different person with renewed energies to reestablish Islam in Medina. With his arrival in Medina, the hijra calendar would begin (that was adopted by Muslims during Umar’s Caliphate). The Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) had then laid the foundation of a free and developing Muslim community. The experience also marked special divine support for Islam and the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H).