Jabal Thawr

Jabal Thawr is a tall, rocky mountain on the opposite side of Makkah from Jabal al-Nour. Near its top hides a small cave with a very famous story — one of the most exciting moments in all of Islamic history.

The people in Makkah were being mean to the Prophet ﷺ and his friends because they believed in one God. Allah told the Prophet ﷺ it was time to move to a new city called Madinah. This big move is called the Hijra.

The Prophet ﷺ and his best friend Abu Bakr (RA) sneaked out of Makkah at night. The enemies were so angry they offered a huge prize — 100 camels! — to anyone who could catch them. So the two friends climbed Jabal Thawr and hid inside this little cave.

Then something amazing happened. Allah sent a tiny spider to spin a big web right across the opening of the cave. He sent a gentle dove to lay her eggs in a nest by the door. When the enemies arrived, breathing heavily and holding their swords, they looked at the unbroken spider web and the calm dove and said, 'No one could have gone inside — let's leave!'

Abu Bakr was worried because the enemies were so close, but the Prophet ﷺ smiled and whispered the beautiful words: 'Do not be sad — Allah is with us.' They stayed safely in the cave for three days and three nights, and then continued their journey to Madinah, where a brand new life for Islam was about to begin.