Prophet Muhammad's Spiritual Retreat and Multiple-Night Worship and Its Motivations, with Emphasis on Criticisms of Montgomery Watt's Views

Historical reports indicate that Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him and his progeny) was a frequent visitor to the HirÁ cave retreating and worshiping God before his mission. Some doubts have been cast on Holy Prophet's motivations for his retreat in the cave by some orientalists, most importantly Montgomery Watt , which are contrary to Islamic principles, including this claim that he was a frequent visitor to the cave because of the torrid weather of Mecca and that this was influenced by the tradition of Jewish and Christian monks. Citing scientific arguments and documents, the present paper nullifies these views and dispels these doubts. Using a method based on "rational-historical analysis", literary, historical and geographical documents and considering the Holy Prophet's individual and social living conditions, it discusses the Holy Prophet's motivations for spiritual retreat and multiple-night worship.