Mountains have played a role in the history of mankind and Islam, and even in the Quran Allah mentions their importance and use. Mountains are mentioned around 67

times in the Quran in some form including in stories related to Prophets Nuh, Musa, Dawud (AS), and Muhammad (SAW).

In Islam, mountains are mentioned in the Quran as part of the natural world created by Allah. There are several verses in the Quran that refer to mountains, emphasizing their role in stabilizing the Earth and highlighting them as signs of God’s creative power. Here are a few verses:

Stabilizing the Earth:

تَهْتَدُونَ لَّعَلَّكُمْ وَسُبُلًۭا وَأَنْهَـٰرًۭا بِكُمْ تَمِيدَ أَن رَوَٰسِىَ لْأَرْضِٱ فِى وَأَلْقَىٰ

He has placed into the earth firm mountains, so it does not shake with you, as well as rivers, and pathways so you may find your way.

(Quran 16:15)

Mountains as Pegs or Stakes:

أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَـٰدًۭا وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًۭا

“Have We not smoothed out the earth ˹like a bed˺,and ˹made˺ the mountains as ˹its˺ pegs

(Quran 78:6-7)

Just like tent pegs and icebergs, mountains go deep below the surface, slowing tectonic movement.

Mountains as Pegs to Prevent Earthquakes:

وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًۭا سُبُلًۭا لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ

And We have placed firm mountains upon the earth so it does not shake with them, and made in it broad pathways so they may find their way.

(Quran 21:31)

These verses are often interpreted by scholars and believers as emphasizing the functional and aesthetic roles of mountains in the creation of the Earth. Mountains are seen as stabilizing elements that prevent the Earth from shaking and provide a sense of order and balance in the natural world.

Here we take a look at some mountains and how they were mentioned in the Quran:

Mount Judi. In the Quran, this mountain is associated with the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood. It is mentioned in Surah Hud (11:44).

وَقِيلَ يَـٰٓأَرْضُ ٱبْلَعِى مَآءَكِ وَيَـٰسَمَآءُ أَقْلِعِى وَغِيضَ ٱلْمَآءُ وَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَٱسْتَوَتْ عَلَى ٱلْجُودِىِّ ۖ وَقِيلَ بُعْدًۭا لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِين

And it was said, “O earth! Swallow up your water. And O sky! Withhold ˹your rain˺.” The floodwater receded and the decree was carried out. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and it was said, “Away with the wrongdoing people!”

(Quran 11:44)

News articles suggest it is located in Turkey. Whether in the Quran or bible, it is intriguing that a ship should come to rest on a mountain, to show that a flood did indeed take place.

Mount Sinai. The Quran mentions this mountain with Prophet Musa and the revelation of the Torah to him. The 52nd Surah, called ‘The Mount’, includes within it the mount of Sinai. It is situated in Egypt

Mount Noor. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received his first divine revelation with 5 verses of the Quran in a cave on this mount. Since then, this mountain has become known as Noor, or light. It lies around 3km from the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Mount Safa. This is a small mount now within the Masjid Al Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and is mentioned in the Quran as being one of the signs of Allah. It is used as the starting point for the ‘Sa’ee’ or ritual of walking back and forth seven times as part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Mentioned in Surah Baqarah (2:158),

إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

Indeed, ˹the hills of˺ Ṣafa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes the major or minor pilgrimage to the ˹Sacred˺ House, let them walk between ˹the two hills˺. And whoever does good willingly, Allah is truly Appreciative, All-Knowing.

Mount Marwah. Along with mount Safa, this is a mount within the Masjid al Haram also mentioned in the Quran as being one of the signs of Allah. It is the end point of the ritual of waking seven times during Hajj in honour of Hajrah, the mother of Prophet Ismail (AS) who went in search of water between these two mounts.

Mount Arafat. Is located about 20 km from Makkah in Saudi Arabia and is known as the Mount of Mercy due to its association with the Hajj pilgrimage where the pilgrims are forgiven here on the plains of Arafat. It is here that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave his farewell sermon to his followers. It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah (2:198)

لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَآ أَفَضْتُم مِّنْ عَرَفَـٰتٍۢ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عِندَ ٱلْمَشْعَرِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَٱذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَإِن كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

There is no blame on you for seeking the bounty of your Lord ˹during this journey˺.1 When you return from ’Arafât, praise Allah near the sacred place and praise Him for having guided you, for surely before this ˹guidance˺ you were astray.

Mount Thawr cave. Located about 8km outside Makkah, Saudi Arabia, it is here that the Prophet took refuge for three days when being pursued by the Quraish during his migration to Madinah. Although, not mentioned by name in the Quran, it is indicated to in Surah Taubah (9:40).

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثَانِىَ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِى ٱلْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَـٰحِبِهِۦ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُۥ بِجُنُودٍۢ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلسُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ ٱللَّهِ هِىَ ٱلْعُلْيَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيم

˹It does not matter˺ if you ˹believers˺ do not support him, for Allah did in fact support him when the disbelievers drove him out ˹of Mecca˺ and he was only one of two. While they both were in the cave (Thawr cave), he reassured his companion, “Do not worry; Allah is certainly with us.” So Allah sent down His serenity upon the Prophet, supported him with forces you ˹believers˺ did not see, and made the word of the disbelievers lowest, while the Word of Allah is supreme. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

Mount Uhud. This mountain occupies a special place for Muslims as it stated in a hadith as being one of the mountains of Paradise. Located just outside the city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, one of the foothills of this mountain was the scene of a famous battle in Islam.

In addition to their literal significance, mountains are sometimes used metaphorically in Islamic teachings to convey the idea of steadfastness and strength in the face of challenges. The Quran often employs natural phenomena, including mountains, as signs that believers are encouraged to reflect upon and derive lessons from regarding the greatness and wisdom of Allah.