Muslims trek up Mecca Mountain to where Islam began

Almost seven-hundred meters above sea-level lies a tiny cave in Mecca where it is believed Islam first began.

The Hira cave was once visited frequently by Prophet Muhammad where he would spend days, or sometimes a whole month in isolated contemplation.

It is in this cave where Muslims believe the prophet was visited by the Angel Gabriel, and where the Koranic revelations all began.

“It's indescribable. It's overwhelming to see how his impact has been on this world. But that's where it all started, it's a very humble thing, you can't even stand there, you know,” said Nasser Mahmoud an elderly American pilgrim.
 
Although not a part of the official haj rituals, pilgrims visiting Mecca often brave the grueling journey to the cave to get a feel of how the prophet lived his life.

And unlike regular hiking trips, pilgrims, many of whom are older in age, trek the mountain without proper hiking gear or footwear.

 

“Well it's an intense hike so you obviously have to be aware of the temperatures. We got an early start this morning to make sure that we avoided the highest temperatures; you have to bring enough supplies of course and be aware of the altitude. There is a reasonable path here, but you have to be careful of your footing so you don't slip and fall,” said another pilgrim, Abdelmeguid Malek.

Muhammad's revelation is believed to have happened during the holy month of Ramadan, on a night known in the Koran as the Night of Power.
 
The hike takes an average of forty minutes to complete, but could take longer due to the rough terrain and very high temperatures.
 
A little over two million pilgrims are expected to converge onto Mecca this year to perform the annual haj pilgrimage.

 

REUTERS

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