Four mountains that witnessed the Prophet Muhammad’s struggle to spread Islam

Makkah and Madinah are not only Islam’s holiest destinations for hajj and umrah. Their mountains and hills are also presented as witnesses to key episodes in the Prophet Muhammad’s preaching, the revelation and the migration.

One of the most significant sites is Jabal Nur, or the Mountain of Light, near Makkah in Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz. The 640-meter mountain is known for its rocky terrain and the small Cave of Hira near its summit. The cave measures 1.75 cubits, according to the article.

Muslims believe that Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the angel Gabriel at the mountain. Jabal Nur is therefore among the places in Makkah most frequently visited by pilgrims and other visitors.

The article also describes Mount Uhud, north of Madinah, which rises to about 1,077 meters. It identifies the mountain as the location of the second battle between Muhammad and his companions and the Quraysh forces from Makkah. The Muslim force from Madinah numbered 700 and was led by Muhammad, while the Quraysh force numbered 3,000 and was led by Abu Sufyan. The source says the battle took place in the second year of the Hijra.