Jabal Thawr
The cave where the Prophet hid during the Hijra.
Story
Jabal Thawr is a tall, rocky mountain on the opposite side of Makkah from Jabal al-Nour. Near its top hides a small cave with a very famous story โ one of the most exciting moments in all of Islamic history.
The people in Makkah were being mean to the Prophet ๏ทบ and his friends because they believed in one God. Allah told the Prophet ๏ทบ it was time to move to a new city called Madinah. This big move is called the Hijra.
The Prophet ๏ทบ and his best friend Abu Bakr (RA) sneaked out of Makkah at night. The enemies were so angry they offered a huge prize โ 100 camels! โ to anyone who could catch them. So the two friends climbed Jabal Thawr and hid inside this little cave.
Then something amazing happened. Allah sent a tiny spider to spin a big web right across the opening of the cave. He sent a gentle dove to lay her eggs in a nest by the door. When the enemies arrived, breathing heavily and holding their swords, they looked at the unbroken spider web and the calm dove and said, 'No one could have gone inside โ let's leave!'
Abu Bakr was worried because the enemies were so close, but the Prophet ๏ทบ smiled and whispered the beautiful words: 'Do not be sad โ Allah is with us.' They stayed safely in the cave for three days and three nights, and then continued their journey to Madinah, where a brand new life for Islam was about to begin.
Fun facts
- โจThe cave is on top of a tall mountain.
- โจThey stayed for 3 days and 3 nights.
Islamic lesson
Quiz
Practical Ziyarah handbook
General Ziyarah handbook
Ziyarah is travel with a purpose: to see the signs of Allah in history and come home changed. Intention first, comfort second, photos last.
Du'as
ุงููููููู ูู ุงููุชูุญู ููู ุฃูุจูููุงุจู ุฑูุญูู ูุชููู
Allahumma iftah li abwaba rahmatik
O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.
ุงููููููู ูู ุฅููููู ุฃูุณูุฃููููู ู ููู ููุถููููู
Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik
O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty.
ุณูุจูุญูุงูู ุงูููุฐูู ุณูุฎููุฑู ููููุง ููุฐูุง ููู ูุง ูููููุง ูููู ู ูููุฑูููููู
Subhana alladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin
Glory to Him who subjected this to us, we could never have done it by ourselves.
ุงููููููู ูู ุจูุงุฑููู ููููุง ูููููุง
Allahumma barik lana fiha
O Allah, bless it for us.
Adab & etiquette
- โขEnter with the right foot and say the du'a for entering a mosque; leave with the left foot.
- โขPray two rak'ahs of tahiyyat al-masjid before sitting down, unless it is a prohibited time.
- โขKeep your voice low. Historic mosques are living places of worship, not tourist attractions.
- โขSilence your phone, and never walk in front of someone who is praying.
- โขAsk before photographing people, and avoid filming during prayer rows.
- โขLeave the place cleaner than you found it โ take your litter with you.
Best timings
Come right after Fajr or between Asr and Maghrib โ cooler air, thinner crowds and the best light.
Dress code
Loose, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; women bring a scarf. Slip-on shoes make entry easy.
With kids
- ๐ถTell the story of the place before you arrive โ children remember what they can picture.
- ๐ถGive each child one 'mission': find the mihrab, count the domes, spot the oldest stone.
- ๐ถPlan short visits โ 45 focused minutes beat three exhausted hours.
- ๐ถCarry water, snacks and a small bag for shoes; heat and marble floors tire little feet fast.
- ๐ถFinish with one shared du'a so the trip ends as worship, not just sightseeing.
Avoid this
- โ ๏ธDo not touch, kiss or rub walls, tombs or pillars seeking blessing โ this is not from the Sunnah.
- โ ๏ธDo not direct any du'a or request to the dead; du'a is for Allah alone.
- โ ๏ธAvoid crowding, pushing or arguing โ the reward of the journey is lost in bad manners.
- โ ๏ธDon't believe every story a guide tells; check unusual claims with a trusted scholar or source.
Packing checklist
- โPrayer clothes and a small prayer mat
- โShoe bag and wet wipes
- โWater bottles and light snacks
- โOffline map and downloaded stories
- โSmall notebook for each child's discoveries
- โModest spare layer (scarf, long sleeves)
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