fahim mohammed
Well-known member
It is an unassuming cave. It is located within a not too tall or big mountain of rock.
The access to the cave is a bit tricky. One climbs up the rock face. Then down and in a swirling
path comes to the entrance of this cave.
Just a small entry window, set amongst rocks. One could easily miss it, if one were not looking for it.
Inside the cave, again nothing special. Just like any millions of small, dark caves.
A man would periodically climb the small rock face and sit in this cave. Often for long times at a
stretch.
An illiterate man. Everyone in town knew he could neither read nor write. His family, his friends, the
town folk. He was born here. Grew up here. Amongst them.
Everyone also knew him to be an honest and trustworthy man. This man who would never lie.
Come what may..He had never done so in his life amongst them. From birth.
They gave him the title of the honest one, the trustworthy one. Even those that disapproved of his
solitary ways. Quiet. Not given to social gatherings. No drink or frolicking. Not joining his people
in the merry making of late nights flowing with wine and poetry.
Many asked his uncles and family members to chastise him for not worshipping their gods. He
disapproved of their gods as much as he disapproved of the idol worshippers.. This antagonized the
majority..Sterner action might have been taken, were it not for the protection of his family; specially
his uncle. Murder would later be contemplated, but it would fail.
There were people of different faith in his town. They would observe times of fasting. This man
would retreat to the cave during these times of fasting. He was reluctant to discuss what he did
alone in the cave. His town folk went to the cave to find out what was inside. Nothing.
Bare rocks that would get extremely hot in the summer.
As was this man's custom, he went to the cave one time. He was forty years old.
The Voice said " Read ". Visibly shaken, afraid, he managed to mumble " I cannot read ".
The Voice repeated, " Read ". Once again he replied; " I cannot read ".
The Voice once more thundered, " Read ". Once more the reply, " I cannot read".
The Voice commanded " Read in the name of Your Lord that created you. Created you from a clot of
blood….".
The word ' Read ' in its Arabic context is as deep as the ocean.
The rest is history.
The man's name is Mohammed ( PBUH ).
The first word of the Revelation from His Lord is " Read". Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH ) is forty
years old. The time of the year is the time of fasting for people of the Book. The place is the cave
in a mountain not far from Makkah.
The mountain is known as the Mountain of Light. The cave is known as the Hira Cave.
Unassuming today as it was around 1433H years ago. This is where it began. From here spread
Islam.
The access to the cave is a bit tricky. One climbs up the rock face. Then down and in a swirling
path comes to the entrance of this cave.
Just a small entry window, set amongst rocks. One could easily miss it, if one were not looking for it.
Inside the cave, again nothing special. Just like any millions of small, dark caves.
A man would periodically climb the small rock face and sit in this cave. Often for long times at a
stretch.
An illiterate man. Everyone in town knew he could neither read nor write. His family, his friends, the
town folk. He was born here. Grew up here. Amongst them.
Everyone also knew him to be an honest and trustworthy man. This man who would never lie.
Come what may..He had never done so in his life amongst them. From birth.
They gave him the title of the honest one, the trustworthy one. Even those that disapproved of his
solitary ways. Quiet. Not given to social gatherings. No drink or frolicking. Not joining his people
in the merry making of late nights flowing with wine and poetry.
Many asked his uncles and family members to chastise him for not worshipping their gods. He
disapproved of their gods as much as he disapproved of the idol worshippers.. This antagonized the
majority..Sterner action might have been taken, were it not for the protection of his family; specially
his uncle. Murder would later be contemplated, but it would fail.
There were people of different faith in his town. They would observe times of fasting. This man
would retreat to the cave during these times of fasting. He was reluctant to discuss what he did
alone in the cave. His town folk went to the cave to find out what was inside. Nothing.
Bare rocks that would get extremely hot in the summer.
As was this man's custom, he went to the cave one time. He was forty years old.
The Voice said " Read ". Visibly shaken, afraid, he managed to mumble " I cannot read ".
The Voice repeated, " Read ". Once again he replied; " I cannot read ".
The Voice once more thundered, " Read ". Once more the reply, " I cannot read".
The Voice commanded " Read in the name of Your Lord that created you. Created you from a clot of
blood….".
The word ' Read ' in its Arabic context is as deep as the ocean.
The rest is history.
The man's name is Mohammed ( PBUH ).
The first word of the Revelation from His Lord is " Read". Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH ) is forty
years old. The time of the year is the time of fasting for people of the Book. The place is the cave
in a mountain not far from Makkah.
The mountain is known as the Mountain of Light. The cave is known as the Hira Cave.
Unassuming today as it was around 1433H years ago. This is where it began. From here spread
Islam.