Muhammad retreated to the cave of Hira, located outside of Mecca, primarily to seek solitude and contemplation. At the age of 40, he was distressed by the social injustices and moral corruption prevalent in Meccan society. It was during one of these retreats that he received his first revelation from the Angel Gabriel (Jibril), marking the beginning of his prophethood.
While he was not necessarily hiding from prosecutors or fleeing from danger at that time, his retreat was more about seeking wisdom from God and reflecting on the conditions of his society. The revelation he received in the cave initiated a profound spiritual journey that led to the establishment of Islam.