Pilgrims visit Hira grotto ahead of Haj - in pictures

A man enjoys the view of the sun setting on Mecca near the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). The Haj pilgrimage 2015 takes place in Mecca from September 22 to 26. The pilgrimage is one of Islam’s five pillars, and it must be performed at least once in one’s life if he or she can afford it. Amel Pain / EPA

Pilgrims head towards the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is alleged to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amel Pain / EPA

An evening view over Mecca and its landmark Clock Tower from Mount Noor near Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is alleged to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca. The visit to Hira Grotto is not part of the Haj pilgrimage, but a tradition some pilgrims like to carry out to deepen their spiritual experience. Amel Pain / EPA

Pilgrims head towards out of the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is alleged to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amel Pain / EPA

An evening view over Mecca and its landmark Clock Tower from Mount Noor near the Hira grotto. Amel Pain / EPA

A pilgrim is helped down as he heads towards towards the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amel Pain / EPA

A pilgrim from Oman takes a break on his way up Mount Noor to visit the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is alleged to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). The Haj pilgrimage 2015 takes place in Mecca from September 22 to 26. The pilgrimage is one of Islam’s five pillars, and it must be performed at least once in one’s life if he or she can afford it. Amel Pain / EPA

A pilgrim heads out of the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amel Pain / EPA

A pilgrim heads towards the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is alleged to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The visit to Hira Grotto is not part of the Haj pilgrimage, but a tradition some pilgrims like to carry out to deepen their spiritual experience. Amel Pain / EPA

Muslim men at the top of Mount Noor near the Hira grotto where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have received the first verses of Quran from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), in Mecca. Amel Pain / EPA

Visiting the Hira Grotto is not part of the Haj pilgrimage but a tradition some pilgrims like to carry out to deepen their spiritual experience. The Haj pilgrimage this year will take place in Mecca from September 22 to 26. The pilgrimage is one of Islam’s five pillars and it must be performed at least once in one’s life if he or she can afford it.