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Cave of Patriarchs in Hebron (al-Khalil)

Inside the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, there is a cave which contains the remains of the Prophets and their wives. Prophet Abraham and his wife Sarah, Prophet Isaac and his wife Rebecca are buried inside the cave. Tombs of Prophet Jacob and his wife Leah are located on the Jewish side of the cave and it was closed on that day. There was a cover and it had Small holes to show inside of the cave. 

Exterior of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron
Stairs leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque

 

Sarah

Sarah or Sara was the wife of of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Sarah was childless until she was 90 years old. God promised Abraham that she would be “a mother of nations” and that she would conceive and bear a son, but Sarah did not believe. Isaac, born to Sarah and Abraham in their old age, was the fulfillment of God’s promise to them.  

Sarah dies at the age of 127, and Abraham bought a piece of land in Hebron and her final resting place was inside a cave. 

A side view of the tomb of Sarah
There was a security screen in front of the tomb so it was hard to take the photo
Tomb of Sarah, wife of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim A.S.)

 

Abraham

Abraham is a significant character in other religions, not only Christianity but Islam too. Abraham was the first person to teach the idea that there was only one God; before then, people believed in many gods.

 

Muslims know Abraham as Ibrahim, and regard his as an important prophet of their faith. Ibrahim’s first son Ishmael, known as Isma’il, is regarded as the father of the Arab people.  Abraham (“The Father of Many Nations”), a native of Ur in Mesopotamia, is called by God (Yahweh) to leave his own country and people and journey to an undesignated land, where he will become the founder of a new nation. 

 

He obeys the call unquestioningly and (at 75 years of age) proceeds with his barren wife, Sarai, later named Sarah (“Princess”), his nephew Lot, and other companions to the land of Canaan (modern day Palestine).

This door is inside the Ibrahimi Mosque - the tomb of Prophet Abraham is on right side with a green window
Abraham's tomb is on the west side of the complex
Tomb of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim A.S.)
These tombs used to have open structure but Ottoman sultans covered the open area

 

Rebecca

The wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. She died at the age of 120 or 134 in Hebron. She was buried in tragic circumstances: Isaac was blind and could not come to honor her properly; Jacob was away; and Esau refused to come because he still hated her for taking away his blessings.

 

Tomb of Rebecca - the wife of Prophet Isaac (Ishaq A.S.)
A side view of the tomb of Rebecca (Hazrat Rufqah)
The minbar of the Ibrahimi Mosque can be seen in the background

 

Isaac

He was the son of Abraham and Sarah, the father of Jacob. Isaac (Isḥaq) is recognized as a patriarch, prophet and messenger of God in Islam.

Tomb of Prophet Isaac (Ishaq A.S.)
A small open area shows the covered tomb of this prophet
Close up of the tomb of Prophet Isaac
Tomb of Prophet Isaac in Hebron (al-Khalil)
This sign shows the location of the cave where the actual remains are buried
Small holes in this cover are to show the inside of the cave