Mountains

Mountains are a creation of Allah Ta’ala which are mentioned in the Noble Quran and the Hadith. They played a role as the setting for significant events in the lives of the Prophets alaihimus salaam.

Allah Ta’ala describes the purpose of the creation of mountains, “He has placed into the earth firm mountains, so it does not shake with you.” (Noble Quran 16:15) Water is an unstable mass. Over 70% of the earth’s surface is made up of water. Just trying to carry a full cup of tea or coffee is a challenge. Imagine the potential instability of the earth?

Describing it in more detail, Allah Ta’ala compares the mountains to pegs, “and (He made) the mountains as pegs.” (Noble Quran 78:7) When you put up a tent, you tie ropes to pegs knocked into the ground to keep it secure.

After the creation of the earth, the land emerged from the water. Reports state that the first mountain placed on earth to keep it steady was the Abu Qubais mountain in Makkah Mukarramah. Accounts claim that it was from this mountain that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam performed the miracle of splitting the moon. It is also reported to be the mountain where the Black Stone of the Kabah was stored for safekeeping during the flood of Prophet Nuh alaihis salaam. Imam Tabari writes that Prophet Aadam alaihis salaam is buried at the foot of the Abu Qubais mountain. Today, a royal palace is situated on top of it.

There is a theoretical question which is posed, “What would happen to the world if all the mountains disappeared?” Taking it in stages, geologists say that,

1. If all of Japan’s land mass above sea level (weighing 440 trillion tons) was removed, the earth’s centre of mass and axis of rotation would shift towards Uruguay. The change in the gravity pull would cause the oceans to slosh around, making them shift. Sea levels would rise along Uruguay’s coast.
2. If all of Japan’s mass was removed including the areas below sea level, it would result in sea levels and ocean currents changing.
3. If all the mountain ranges of the world were removed, there would be worldwide earthquakes and volcanoes would erupt. It would affect global weather patterns. Without mountains we would have to dig deeper into the earth for metals and minerals. The rain would fall directly on earth as a dangerous deluge, eroding farming land and destroying trees. Oxygen levels would drop. With Allah Ta’ala’s system, the rain collects on the mountain tops, and feeds into the rivers and streams allowing us to use it with ease.

The fact mentioned in the Noble Quran 1400 years ago that mountains are for stability of the earth is corroborated by recent geological findings.

Mountains were the settings for incidents in the lives of the Prophets alaihimus salaam:

1. Prophet Musa alaihis salaam is returning to Egypt with his wife after spending some years in Madyan. He loses the way and sees a fire on Mount Toor of the Sinai. He approaches this mountain, receives revelation and speaks to Allah Ta’ala. It is reported to be present day Jabal Musa in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. This is one of four mountains mentioned by name in the Noble Quran.
2. In another incident, Prophet Musa alaihis salaam requested to see Allah Ta’ala. He was instructed to look at the mountain, and if it did not crumble he would see Allah Ta’ala. When some of Allah Ta’ala’s Majesty was shown to the mountain, it crumbled to dust and Musa alaihis salaam fell unconscious. From the Hadith it would appear to be the same Mount Toor.
3. Prophet Nuh alaihis salaam’s ark came to rest on the top of Mount Judi. This is the second mountain mentioned by name in the Noble Quran. What appear to be the remains of the ark are found on Mount Judi in southeast Turkey. The historian, Masudi in the 10^th century wrote that he could see the spot in his time.
4. Prophet Ebrahim alaihis salaam wanted to see the reality of life after death. He was instructed to kill four birds, mix the pieces up and place them on several mountains. When he called to them, the pieces all came back and reassembled in their original forms. After death, our bodies will reassemble into their previous forms with all atoms and disintegrated pieces coming together precisely.
5. An interesting mountain is found in Sri Lanka and called Adam’s Peak in English. It is claimed to have the footprint of Prophet Aadam alaihis salaam on its peak. The traveller Ibn Battuta mentions climbing up the mountain to see it. Reports show that Prophet Aadam alahis salaam came down to earth in India after being sent out of Paradise, and specifically to Sri Lanka which was part of India.

One possible reason why so many different cultures across the world venerate or hold certain mountains as sacred could be due to the fact that their Prophets in their past had significant events in their lives take place at those mountains. The Greeks have Mount Olympus, and the Hindus hold Mount Kailash in Tibet as sacred. The Jews also  hold certain mountains in high regard among them Temple Mount on the top of which is Masjid Al Aqsa. King Herod built retaining walls and filled in the mountain to create the relatively flat compound of Masjid Al Aqsa.

Mountains featured in the life of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam as well.

1. Hira Mountain features the cave of Hira on its top. It was here that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam would go for periods of time to meditate before Prophethood. He received the first revelation of the Noble Quran here. It is also known as Jabal Noor. A way to achieve clarity of mind and peace of heart is to go alone or with one other person and contemplate the creation of Allah Ta’ala, “Say, ‘I only advise you of one thing – that you stand for Allah, (seeking truth) in pairs and individually, and then ponder.” (Noble Quran 34:46) Natural settings like mountains also lend themselves to contemplation.
2. Mount Safa and Marwa are the two other mountains mentioned by name in the Noble Quran. They are the symbols of the Majesty of Allah Ta’ala, “Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.” (Noble Quran 2:158) Pilgrims walk between the two in emulation of the actions of Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ebrahim alaihmas salaam when she went in search of water. The first Madressa where Islam was taught was in Darul Arqam situated at the foot of Mount Safa.
3. Mount Uhud in Madinah Munawwarah served as the setting for the second battle of Islam. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said regarding this mountain, “This is a mountain which loves us and we love it.” It trembled in awe on one occasion when the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wa sallam stood on it together with Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan radhiallahu anhum.
4. Mount Thawr is where the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and Abu Bakr radhiallahu anhu spent three days in hiding while travelling on the Hijra (emigration) from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah.
5. Mount Arafaat is where the most important act of the Hajj takes place. It is also known as Jabal Rahmah. Arafah in Arabic means to recognise, and reports say that Prophet Aadam alaihis salaam and his wife were reunited at this place after coming down to earth from Paradise, thus giving the place its name.

Do mountains and other inanimate objects of nature have any sense of perception? The following verses and Hadith indicate towards them having a limited understanding:

1. A Hadith relates, “The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam once climbed Mount Uhud with Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan radhiallahu anhum. The mountain shook them so the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said to it, ‘Be still, O Uhud! For upon you is a Prophet, a Siddeeq and two martyrs.” (Bukhari)
2. “The seven heavens, the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praises, but you cannot comprehend their glorification.” (Noble Quran 17:44)
3. “We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they all declined to bear it, being fearful of it.” (Noble Quran 33:72) These creations including the mountains were offered the opportunity to carry out the worship of Allah Ta’ala in return for reward and Paradise, and punishment and Hell for not carrying it out.
4. “We subjected the mountains to hymn Our praises along with (Prophet Dawood alaihis salaam) in the evening and after sunrise.” (Noble Quran 38:18)

The Noble Quran and the mountains

“Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah.” (Noble Quran 59:21) If the huge mountains would tremble had they been made to understand the Noble Quran, what about human beings? This is the power of the Noble Quran, able to make hearts tremble with the fear of Allah Ta’ala. Why don’t our hearts feel soft and humbled through the fear of Allah Ta’ala?

There was a tree trunk which the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to stand next to and deliver lectures. Then a Mimbar was built and he used that. The tree trunk was heard weeping. (Bukhari) Hassan al Basri rahimahullah said that if this was a tree trunk, how much more do we need to feel the love for the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam?

Muhammad ibn Ka’b rahimahullah said that, “The one who regularly recites the Noble Quran is guaranteed a sound mind even if he lives for 200 years.” (Bidayah)

Allah Ta’ala describes to us another use for mountains:

“And Allah has provided you shade out of what He created and has given you shelter in the mountains.” (Noble Quran 16:81) Mountains serve as places of refuge and fortresses. Many of the most glorious Muslim liberation struggles against invading forces took place in the mountains, places like Afghanistan, Chechnya, Daghestan and Kashmir. The people of these mountainous regions fought valiantly for their freedom.

Among the most famous people who lived in mountain cities are the Thamud. Among their lasting remains is the city of Petra with magnificent houses and structures carved out of solid mountains. “And Thamud who carved their homes into the rocks in the valley.” (89:9) They demanded that Prophet Salih alaihis salaam prove his Prophethood with a miracle and Allah Ta’ala made a live pregnant camel come out of the solid rock.

Mountains close to Qiyamah

As the world draws closer towards its final moments, mountains will play a role as the setting for significant events:

1. Abdullah ibn Amr radhiallahu anhuma stated that, “When you see tunnels/canals being dug in Makkah Mukarramah and the buildings going higher than the mountain peaks, then know that Qiyamah is close.”
2. The Hadith tells us that a time will come when the best property of a Muslim would be sheep which he takes to the top of mountains and to the valleys to safeguard his faith from the extreme trials and tests. (Bukhari)
3. Yajooj and Majooj, the tribes who will cause tremendous chaos towards Qiyamah, are situated and contained in a land between mountains. (Noble Quran 18:93)
4. And when the earth comes to an end, the mountains will be crushed and blown away completely, “You will see the mountains, thinking they are firmly fixed, travelling just like clouds.” (Noble Quran 27:88) These strong, seemingly immovable and invincible mountains will blow away like dust, clouds and wool.

Examples using mountains

1. Whoever joins a Janaza (funeral) of a Muslim and remains for the prayer and the burial will receive two rewards, each the size of Mount Uhud. And if the person only attends the prayer he will receive one reward. (Bukhari)
2. Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhuma was asked whether the Sahaba radhiallahu anhum laughed. He replied, “Yes, and the faith in their hearts was greater than the mountains.” Becoming pious does not mean one needs to remain permanently serious, gloomy and sullen. There needs to be a balance in one’s life.

Some lessons from mountains

1. Appreciate the creation of Allah Ta’ala. Relax your mind and heart by going out into nature and marvelling at the perfect system that Allah Ta’ala has created. This will increase one’s faith. Take a hike in the mountains and contemplate on the perfection in their creation.
2. The Noble Quran was too big a responsibility for the mountains, but we have been given the honour of reading it and following it. Continuously upgrade your attachment to the Noble Quran. We are going through trying times with loadshedding, water problems in some areas, a high crime rate. The only viable, lasting solution is to please Allah Ta’ala, the One who controls all these things.
3. Build your faith by seeing the miracle of the Noble Quran accurately describing the function of mountains hundreds of years before geologists discovered it.