Landmark

Cave of Thawr

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

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The Cave of Thawr is a small refuge near the summit of Jabal Thawr, remembered from the Hijrah to Medina. Its significance lies in the contrast between the cave’s limited shelter and the far-reaching journey that began beyond it.

Guide preview

The cave is remembered for a brief pause inside a much longer journey. Here, according to the Hijrah account, the Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid for three days while Quraysh searched for them.

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Quick facts

  • The cave is on Jabal Thawr south of Mecca.
  • The Hijrah account places the Prophet and Abu Bakr here for three days.
  • The Qur’anic reference to the cave episode is in Surah al-Tawbah, verse 40.

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