التحنث في غار حراء
Retreat to Cave Hira
13-12 BH (~609-610 CE)
Cave of Hira, Jabal an-Nur غار حراء – جبل النور
In the years preceding his prophethood, Muhammad ﷺ began retreating to the Cave of Hira on Jabal an-Nur (the Mountain of Light) on the outskirts of Makkah. He would spend days and nights in solitary contemplation and worship, taking provisions with him. Khadijah would send food for him. He was drawn to reflection and solitude, away from the idolatry and moral corruption of Makkan society.
Why this matters
This period of seclusion was the final stage of divine preparation before revelation. The Prophet ﷺ was already rejecting the idol worship of his people and seeking truth. The practice of 'Tahannuth' (devout seclusion) was also practiced by Ibrahim. Six months before the first revelation, he began seeing true dreams that would come true the very next day like the breaking of dawn.
Hadith references
Sahih al-Bukhari, #3
Narrated by: Aisha
“The commencement of divine inspiration to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in the form of true dreams in his sleep. He never saw a dream except that it came true like bright daylight. Then seclusion was made beloved to him, and he used to seclude himself in the Cave of Hira, engaging in Tahannuth (devotional worship) for several nights.”