Taḥannuth

Taḥannuth (تحنث) is an Arabic term referring to the practice of religious devotion, contemplation, and seeking spiritual insight. Historically, it is most closely associated with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) before his first revelation. He would regularly retreat to the cave of Hira, located in the mountain Jabal al-Nour near Mecca, to engage in taḥannuth.

The precise nature of the religious practices involved in taḥannuth is not definitively known and is subject to scholarly interpretation. However, it is understood to have involved a form of solitary worship and reflection, distinct from the polytheistic practices prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia. It is sometimes described as a form of seeking the Hanifiyya, the original monotheistic faith of Abraham. Some scholars believe it involved practices similar to those of ascetics or hermits.

The significance of taḥannuth lies in its role as a precursor to Muhammad's prophethood. It is seen as a period of spiritual preparation and purification that allowed him to receive the divine revelation of the Quran. The practice highlights the importance of seeking spiritual connection and guidance. Following the first revelation, the act of taḥannuth, as it was performed before, was superseded by the prescribed rituals of Islam.