The mountains around Makkah and Madinah are silent witnesses to the story of Islam. On one, the Quran was first revealed. On another, the Prophet ﷺ hid during the Hijrah. On a third, he delivered his Farewell Sermon nearby, and at the foot of another, seventy companions gave their lives.

This guide introduces the most important mountains, what happened at each, and how to visit them respectfully. Climbing or visiting these mountains is not part of any ritual, except being in Arafat during Hajj, but knowing their stories makes your journey richer.

Jabal al-Nour (Mountain of Light), Makkah

Jabal al-Nour, north-east of the Haram, contains Ghar Hira, the cave where the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet ﷺ. It stands about 640 metres high, and the climb takes 1 to 2 hours. Read more in our Ghar Hira and Ghar Thawr guide.

Jabal Thawr, Makkah

South of Makkah, Jabal Thawr holds the cave where the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr hid for three nights at the start of the Hijrah (Quran 9:40). It is higher and harder to climb than Jabal al-Nour, so many visitors view it from below.

Jabal Rahmah (Mount of Mercy), Arafat

Jabal Rahmah is a small rocky hill, about 70 metres high, in the plain of Arafat, roughly 20 km east of Makkah. A white pillar marks the top. The Prophet ﷺ stood near the rocks at its foot on the Day of Arafah during his Farewell Hajj, and his Farewell Sermon was delivered in the valley of Uranah close by, where Masjid Namirah now stands.

Many people believe climbing it is a special act, but scholars explain that the whole of Arafat is a place of standing (“I stood here, and all of Arafat is a place of standing”, Sahih Muslim). Climbing the hill is not a ritual. Outside Hajj, it is a calm place to reflect on the Day of Arafah, when Allah frees many people from the Fire. Writing names on the pillar or tying cloth to it is not part of Islam.

Jabal Abu Qubais, Makkah

Jabal Abu Qubais stands right next to Masjid al-Haram, on the side of Safa. At the hill of Safa at its foot, the Prophet ﷺ publicly called the Quraysh to Islam for the first time (Sahih al-Bukhari). Today the mountain is largely covered by palace and mosque buildings, so it is seen rather than visited.

Jabal Uhud, Madinah

Jabal Uhud is the large red mountain north of Madinah. In the third year after Hijrah the Battle of Uhud took place here. The Muslims were winning until the archers on a small hill left their positions, against the Prophet’s instructions, and the enemy attacked from behind. Seventy companions were martyred, including Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle, and the Prophet ﷺ himself was injured.

Despite this pain, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Visitors today see the Shuhada Uhud cemetery, where the martyrs are buried, and the small Jabal ar-Rumat (Archers’ Hill) opposite. Climbing the archers’ hill takes only a few minutes and gives a clear view of the battlefield. The main mountain is not usually climbed by visitors.

Mount Ayr and other mountains of Madinah

Jabal Ayr lies south of Madinah and marks one of the boundaries of Madinah’s haram (sanctuary), mentioned in hadith with Thawr (a small mountain behind Uhud). Jabal Sal’ (Sala) is where the Battle of the Trench took place nearby, and the Seven Mosques stand at its foot. These are usually seen from the car on a ziyarat tour.

Lessons from the mountains

• Jabal al-Nour: the value of knowledge and the Quran, and that great change begins with quiet worship.
• Jabal Thawr: trust in Allah in the hardest moment.
• Jabal Rahmah: the mercy and forgiveness of Allah on the Day of Arafah.
• Jabal Uhud: obedience, patience after loss, and love for the people who sacrificed for Islam.

Planning a mountain ziyarat with elderly parents

Most of these mountains can be seen and appreciated without climbing. In Makkah, a driver can take you past Jabal al-Nour and Jabal Thawr, then drive slowly through Arafat so you can see Jabal Rahmah and Masjid Namirah. In Madinah, the car can park close to the Uhud cemetery so that parents walk only a few steps.

Travel after Fajr, carry water and an umbrella, and keep each stop short. If your parents want to make dua, a quiet corner in the shade is better than a hot hilltop. A private vehicle with air conditioning gives them a place to rest between stops. Families of five or more often choose a GMC or Hiace so everyone travels together.

Visiting tips

Mountain visits fit best early in the morning. In Makkah, Jabal al-Nour, Jabal Thawr and Arafat are usually combined in one Makkah Ziyarat tour. In Madinah, Uhud is the main stop of a Madinah Ziyarat tour, together with Quba and Masjid al-Qiblatayn.

• Wear shoes with grip and carry water.
• Do not climb alone or in the heat of the day.
• Respect fenced areas and cemeteries.
• Avoid taking stones or soil as souvenirs.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides and services

• Makkah Ziyarat taxi
• Madinah Ziyarat taxi
• Makkah to Madinah taxi
• Madinah ziyarat places
• All routes and fixed prices

Sources and further reading

• Sahih al-Bukhari 4083 – Uhud loves us (sunnah.com)
• Sahih Muslim 1218 – the Farewell Hajj (sunnah.com)
• Quran 9:40 (quran.com)
• Visit Saudi – Madinah

This guide is general information for pilgrims. Religious rulings can differ between schools of thought, so please ask a qualified scholar about your own situation. Official rules change often; always check the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you travel.

Written by the Zikr Cabs team: we drive pilgrims between Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Taif. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.

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