Editing Hebron (section)

===Muslim conquest and Islamic caliphate===
Hebron was one of the last cities of Palestine to fall to the [[Muslim conquest of the Levant|Islamic invasion in the 7th century]], possibly the reason why Hebron is not mentioned in any traditions of the Arab conquest.<ref>{{harvnb|Gil|1997|pp=56–57}} cites the late testimony of two monks, Eudes and Arnoul CE 1119–1120:'When they (the Muslims) came to Hebron they were amazed to see the strong and handsome structures of the walls and they could not find an opening through which to enter, then the Jews happened to come, who lived in the area under the former rule of the Greeks (that is the Byzantines), and they said to the Muslims: give us (a letter of security) that we may continue to live (in our places) under your rule (literally-amongst you) and permit us to build a synagogue in front of the entrance (to the city). If you will do this, we shall show you where you can break in. And it was so'.</ref> When the [[Rashidun Caliphate]] established its rule over Hebron in 638, the Muslims converted the Byzantine church at the site of Abraham's tomb into a mosque.<ref name="Scharfstein 124"/> It became an important station on the caravan trading route from Egypt, and also as a way-station for pilgrims making the yearly hajj from Damascus.<ref>{{harvnb|Büssow|2011|p=195}}</ref> After the fall of the city, Jerusalem's conqueror, Caliph [[Umar|Omar ibn al-Khattab]] permitted Jewish people to return and to construct a small synagog within the Herodian precinct.<ref>{{harvnb|Hiro|1999|p=166}}.</ref>

Catholic bishop [[Arculf]], who visited the Holy Land during the [[Umayyad Chaliphate|Umayyad period]], described the city as unfortified and poor. In his writings he also mentioned camel caravans transporting firewood from Hebron to Jerusalem, which implies there was a presence of Arab nomads in the region at that time.<ref>Frenkel, 2011, p. 28–29</ref> Trade greatly expanded, in particular with [[Bedouin]]s in the [[Negev]] (''al-Naqab'') and the population to the east of the [[Dead Sea]] (''Baḥr Lūṭ''). According to Anton Kisa, Jews from Hebron (and [[Tyre, Lebanon|Tyre]]) founded the [[Venetian glass]] industry in the 9th century.<ref>{{harvnb|Forbes|1965|p=155}}, citing Anton Kisa et al., ''Das Glas im Altertum'', 1908.</ref>

Hebron was almost absent from Muslim literature before the 10th century.<ref>{{harvnb|Gil|1997|pp=205}}</ref> In 985, [[al-Muqaddasi]] described Hebron (Habra) as the village of Abraham al-Khalil, with a strong fortress and a stone dome over Abraham's sepulchre.<ref name=":6">{{harvnb|Al-Muqaddasi|2001|pp=156–57}}. For an older translation see {{harvnb|Le Strange|1890|pp=[[commons:File:Strange.309.jpg|309]]–[[commons:File:Strange.310.jpg|10]]}}</ref> The mosque contained the tombs of Isaac, Jacob, and their wives.<ref name=":6" /> Surrounding the area were villages with vineyards producing exceptional grapes and apples.<ref name=":6" /> Hebron had a public guest house offering lentils and olive oil to both the poor and the rich.<ref name=":6" /> The guest house was established through the bequest of Prophet Muhammad's companions, including Tamim-al Dari, and received generous donations.<ref name=":6" /> It was highly regarded as an excellent house of hospitality and charity in the realm of al-Islam.<ref name=":6" /> The custom, known as the 'Table of Abraham' (''simāt al-khalil''), was similar to the one established by the [[Fatimid]]s.<ref name=":7">{{harvnb|Le Strange|1890|p=[[commons:File:Strange.315.jpg|315]]}}</ref> In 1047, [[Nasir Khusraw|Nasir-i-Khusraw]] described Hebron in his [[Safarnama]] as having many villages providing revenues for pious purposes.<ref name=":8">{{harvnb|Singer|2002|p=148}}.</ref><ref name=":7" /> He mentioned a spring flowing from under a stone, with water channeled to a covered tank outside the town.<ref name=":7" /> The Sanctuary stood on the town's southern border, enclosed by four walls.<ref name=":8" /> Barley was the primary crop, with abundant olives.<ref name=":8" /> Visitors were provided with bread, olives, lentils cooked in olive oil, and raisins.<ref name=":8" /> Hebron had numerous mills operated by oxen and mules, along with working girls baking bread.<ref name=":8" /> The hospitality extended to about three-pound loaves of bread and meals for every arriving person, including up to 500 pilgrims on certain days.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />

The tradition survives to this day in the form of the Takiat Ibrahim soup kitchen, which has been active in providing food for thousands over Ramadan, which coincided with food shortages during the 2024 [[Gaza war]].{{sfn|Zbeedat|2024}} [[Cairo Geniza|Geniza]] documents from this period mention  "the graves of the patriarchs" and attest to the presence of an organized Jewish community in Hebron. The Jews maintained a synagog near the tomb and earned their livelihood accommodating Jewish pilgrims and merchants. During the [[Great Seljuq Empire|Seljuk period]], the community was headed by Saadia b. Abraham b. Nathan, known as the "''haver'' of the graves of the patriarchs."<ref>{{harvnb|Gil|1997|p=206}}</ref>