The tomb attributed to prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) is believed to be inside the Haram al-Ibrahimi (الحرم الإبراهيمي), also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, in the heart of al-Khalil, the Old City of Hebron, in the southern West Bank. The site is considered by Jews to be the second holiest place in the world, after the Temple Mount. Muslims believe that Muhammed visited Hebron on his nocturnal journey from Mecca to Jerusalem to stop by the tomb and pay his respects.
The name "Haram al-Ibrahimi", reflects the prominence given to Abraham in Islam. Prophet Abraham was the second person to be buried in the cave after his wife Sarah. Dying at the age of 175 years he was buried by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. The cenotaph that is visible today is believed to represent a below ground burial in a cave. The cenotaph is located inside an octagonal chamaber in the heart of the rectangular complex.
circa 2000 BCE
The cenotaph of prophet Ibrahim (biblical Abraham) is situated inside an octagonal chamber inside the Herodian period enclosure. The relatively large cenotaph is covered with a green shroud. The walls of the octagonal chamber is richly decorated in the traditional Ottoman style. Access to the interior of the "burial-chamber" is not allowed, although the pilgrims can look in to the chamber through two windows, one on the Muslim side and the other on the Jewish side.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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