Jabal Thawr — Cave of the Hijra
جَبَلُ ثَورٍ — غَارُ الهِجرَة
Jabal Thawr (the Mountain of the Bull) is the mountain south of Mecca in whose summit cave — Ghar Thawr — the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companion Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) took refuge for three days and three nights in 1 AH / 622 CE at the outset of the Hijra (the migration from Mecca to Medina). The Quraysh, who had planned to kill the Prophet, searched for him but were diverted — the Quran records this moment: 'He said to his companion: Do not grieve — Allah is with us.' (9:40). A dove is said to have nested at the cave entrance and a spider wove its web, leading the Qurayshi pursuers to conclude no one had entered. The cave is approximately 1.5 km from the mountain base, requiring a steep climb of about 45–60 minutes. The experience of ascending in the Prophet's footsteps, reaching the cave, and reciting Fatiha and salawat there is deeply moving for the pilgrim.
Why it Matters
Jabal Thawr is the site of one of the most dramatic moments in Islamic history: the Prophet (SAW) and Abu Bakr (RA) hiding in the cave as the Qurayshi search party passed directly below. The Quran's words 'Do not grieve — Allah is with us' (9:40) were spoken here. For Bohras performing Hajj, the ascent of Thawr connects them to the physical reality of the Prophet's sacrifice — he left his beloved Mecca under cover of night, trusting entirely in Allah. The cave is the physical embodiment of tawakkul (complete reliance on Allah).
Dua when visiting
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَبَارِك عَلَى مَن خَرَجَ مِن هَذَا المَكَانِ مُهَاجِرًا فِي سَبِيلِكَ وَاجعَلنَا مِن المُهَاجِرِينَ إِلَيكَ
Also in this region
4- Masjid al-Haram & the Sacred Kaaba Mecca Anbiya المَسْجِدُ الحَرَامُ
- Masjid al-Haram — The Grand Mosque of Mecca Mecca Anbiya المَسجِدُ الحَرَامُ
- Masjid al-Nabawi — The Prophet's Mosque, Medina Medina Anbiya المَسجِدُ النَّبَوِي
- Rawdah al-Nabawiyya — Grave of the Prophet (SAW) Madina al-Munawwara Anbiya الرَّوضَةُ النَّبَوِ