Mount Thawr (Mecca): Difference between revisions
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===The current mountain location=== | ===The current mountain location=== | ||
With the recent expansion of the city, | With the recent expansion of the city, Thawr Mountain is now positioned within a network of prominent streets, such as Thawr Street, Taif Road, and Kodi Road.<ref>Qāʾidān, ''Tārīkh wa āthār-i Islāmī'', p. 160.</ref> This development has integrated the mountain into the urban fabric, offering a variety of routes for both ascending and descending the peak. The increased accessibility provided by these routes has improved connectivity for residents and visitors, facilitating easier travel to and from the mountain. This integration reflects the city’s growth and its efforts to enhance the convenience and experience of accessing natural landmarks amidst urban settings.<ref>Fākihī, ''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 203.</ref> | ||
==Reason for Naming== | ==Reason for Naming== | ||
The name of the mountain is deeply rooted in historical context. According to resources, Thawr bin Abd Manat, a distinguished figure in local lore, was born at the base of this mountain. In reverence to this significant individual, the area was originally known as Thawr Atahl. Over time, the name was abbreviated to Thawr<ref>Ḥamawī, ''Muʿjam al-buldān'', vol. 2, p.86-87; Dīyārbakrī, ''Tārīkh al-khamīs'', vol. 1, p. 324.</ref> | |||
The mountain is sometimes called Abu Thawr.<ref>Ibn Jubayr, ''Riḥla Ibn Jubayr'', p. 83.</ref> Several factors likely contributed to the mountain's naming. One theory suggests that the mountain's southern landscape bears a resemblance to a cow, referred to as Thawr in regional tradition<ref>Bilādī, ''Muʿjam al-Maʿārif al- Jughrāfīyya'', p. 72.</ref> Another possibility is the presence of the Bani Thawr tribe, who established settlements near the mountain and its surrounding areas.<ref>Āl-i Basām, ''Khazānat al-tawārīkh al-najdīyya'', vol. 9, p. 218.</ref> These elements, intertwined with the cultural and religious heritage of the region, have collectively shaped the mountain's nomenclature, reflecting its historical significance and symbolic importance. | |||
==Cave of Thawr== | ==Cave of Thawr== | ||
{{Main article|Cave of Thawr (Ghar Thawr)}} | |||
Thawr's Cave, located on this prominent mountain, is of considerable significance within Islamic tradition. The mountain is distinguished by its unique geological features and is held in high regard by Muslims due to its historical association with the [[Prophet Muhammad]] (S). During the pivotal event of the [[Hijra]], when the Prophet and his companion [[Abu Bakr]] sought to escape the intense persecution by the polytheists in Mecca, they found refuge in a cave on this mountain.<ref>Fāsī al-Makkī, ''Shifāʾ al-gharām'', vol. 1, p. 464.</ref> The site in question comprises two neighboring caves, both revered as potential sanctuaries for the Prophet (S) during the migration to [[Yathrib]] (modern-day [[Medina]]). According to historical sources, including the accounts of Abu Bakr and [[Amer bin Fahira]], who was the guide for the Prophet during this period, it is believed that the larger of these two caves served as the primary hiding place. This significant event is commemorated in Islamic tradition and is referenced in Verse 40 of Surah At-Tawbah, which highlights the divine support provided to the Prophet and his companion during this period of adversity<ref>Ibn Kathīr, ''Al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya'', vol. 6, p. 184; Maqrizī, ''Imtāʿ al-asmāʾ'', vol. 1, p. 58.</ref> | |||
The academic and historical importance of Thawr's Cave extends beyond its physical characteristics. It represents a symbol of divine protection and guidance during a critical juncture in Islamic history. The cave's association with the Prophet's flight underscores its enduring significance as a site of spiritual and historical reflection, illustrating the intersection of religious faith and historical events in the Islamic narrative. | |||
==Traditions Concerning Mount Thawr== | |||
Mount Thawr is imbued with a rich tapestry of traditions and narratives that underscore its significance in various historical and religious contexts. One notable tradition holds that Mount Thawr is the site where [[Abel]], the son of [[Adam]], was slain.<ref>Ibn Zahīra, ''Al-Jāmiʿ al-laṭīf'', p. 301; Kurdī, ''Al-Tārīkh al-qawīm'', vol. 1, p. 392.</ref> This account highlights the mountain's association with early biblical events and imbues it with a deep historical resonance. | |||
Additionally, some traditions link Mount Thawr to the broader landscape of religious events. According to certain narratives, the mountain is identified as a fragment of a larger geological formation that disintegrated following a divine manifestation associated with the Prophet [[Moses]] (AS).<ref>Fākihī, ''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 82; Khārazmī, ''Ithara al-targhīb'', vol. 2, p. 311.</ref> | |||
This connection positions Mount Thor as a significant geographical feature influenced by profound spiritual events. | |||
Moreover, Mount Thor is also described as one of the mountains that are connected to the seventh earth, reflecting its esteemed position within the cosmological framework of religious belief.<ref> Marjānī, ''Bahjat al-nufūs'', vol. 1, p. 336.</ref> This association underscores the mountain's importance in the broader religious and metaphysical landscape. | |||
Further enriching its significance, another narration attributes a special connection to Mount Thor through a prophetic tradition. It is said that the mountain called out to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and informed him that it had once provided shelter to seventy other prophets.<ref>Ibn Zahīra, ''Al-Jāmiʿ al-laṭīf'', p. 300.</ref> | |||
This tradition enhances the mountain’s spiritual and historical importance, symbolizing its role as a sanctuary for revered figures across religious history. | |||
These diverse traditions collectively illustrate the multifaceted significance of Mount Thor, reflecting its central role in religious narratives and its enduring spiritual resonance in various historical contexts. | |||
==Recommendation of Praying on Mount Thawr== | ==Recommendation of Praying on Mount Thawr== | ||
Mount Thawr is known as a place where prayers are fulfilled, especially during the noon.<ref>Khārazmī, ''Ithara al-targhīb'', vol. 1, p. 236.</ref> It is also recommended to perform prayers in the [[Cave of Thawr]].<ref>Fākihī, ''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 35.</ref> | Mount Thawr is known as a place where prayers are fulfilled, especially during the noon.<ref>Khārazmī, ''Ithara al-targhīb'', vol. 1, p. 236.</ref> It is also recommended to perform prayers in the [[Cave of Thawr]].<ref>Fākihī, ''Akhbār Makka fī qadīm al-dahr wa ḥaīthih'', vol. 4, p. 35.</ref> | ||