Visiting Madinah: a guide

Step

Marks are saved in this browser only.

1. 1SunnahOn the way

   Travelling to Madinah

   It is recommended to set out with the intention of visiting the Prophet and his mosque, to earn the reward of both, and to send many blessings (selawat) on him along the way.

   It is recommended to bathe before entering Madinah if possible; otherwise bathe before entering the mosque and wear your cleanest clothes.

   The Prophet’s Mosque is one of the three mosques a hadith names as worth a dedicated journey for worship: the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque and al-Aqsa Mosque.

   Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi No. 462: Etiquette of visiting the Prophet’s grave (Malay) · Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan Li Al-Haj No. 1: The 40 congregational prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque (Malay) · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque

2. 2SunnahEvery visit to the mosque

   Entering the Prophet’s Mosque

   Step in with the right foot and say the supplication for entering a mosque. Imam al-Nawawi notes that this remembrance and supplication is recommended at every mosque.

   The mosque has around 100 doors and its courtyards about 40 gates. Every door has a number beside it; the numbers help you reach where you want to go.

   Wheelchairs are available at certain gates, including Bab al-Salam, Bab al-Siddiq, Bab al-Rahmah, Bab Jibril, Bab al-Nisa, King Fahd Gate and gates 25, 29 and 41.

   Women: the north-western prayer hall is reached through gates 13 to 17D, and the north-eastern hall through gates 23 to 31B.

   Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi No. 462: Etiquette of visiting the Prophet’s grave (Malay) · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque

3. 3SunnahThroughout your stay

   Praying in the Prophet’s Mosque

   The Prophet said that a prayer in his mosque is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except the Sacred Mosque in Makkah (Muslim). Prayer in the Sacred Mosque carries an even greater reward.

   While in Madinah, it is best to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque.

   The 40 consecutive prayers (Arba’in): scholars differ on the hadith. Ibn Hibban, al-Haythami and al-Mundhiri judged its narrators reliable; al-Tabarani, al-Albani and Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut judged it weak. The Federal Territory Mufti leans towards it being mildly weak: fine to practise for its merit, but not something you must chase. The Federal Territory Syariah consultative committee (27 July 2017) agreed pilgrims may stay in Madinah for fewer than 40 prayers (under 8 days) according to their organiser’s schedule.

   Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Bayan Li Al-Haj No. 1: The 40 congregational prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque (Malay) · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque · Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi No. 462: Etiquette of visiting the Prophet’s grave (Malay)

4. 4SunnahAt your booked time

   Praying in the Rawdah (book on Nusuk)

   The Rawdah is at the front of the Prophet’s Mosque, stretching from the room of the Prophet’s grave to the pulpit. He said that the area between his house and his pulpit is one of the gardens of Paradise.

   The Saudi authorities organise entry to the Rawdah through the Nusuk app: choose your time and entry point in the app before you go.

   Women book the slots offered to women in Nusuk and enter from the eastern women’s prayer hall through gates 25 and 29.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque

5. 5SunnahAfter praying (for example in the Rawdah)

   Greeting the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Umar

   Enter through Bab al-Salam calmly and politely. Stand facing the Prophet’s grave (with your back to the qiblah), lower your gaze, greet him softly and then send blessings on him.

   Move slightly to the right and greet Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, then a little further right and greet Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with them.

   Keep the greeting short so others have room, and leave calmly.

   السلام عليك يا رسول الله ورحمة الله وبركاته

   Assalamu 'alaika ya Rasulallah wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

   Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque

   After the greeting: the Federal Territory Mufti (quoting al-Fiqh al-Manhaji) advises returning to where you started and supplicating for yourself and all believers while facing the qiblah; the Saudi Ministry of Hajj guide simply says to leave. The Mufti also quotes a longer greeting — see the source.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Information about the Prophet’s Mosque · Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah · Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi No. 462: Etiquette of visiting the Prophet’s grave (Malay)

6. 6OverviewWhenever you visit the grave

   Etiquette at the Prophet’s grave

   Do not raise your voice at the Prophet’s grave; he is honoured in life and after death alike.

   Do not circle the grave, and do not face the grave when supplicating — face the qiblah instead.

   Do not touch the pulpit or the grille of the room. The respectful way is to stand at a distance, as if standing before him in his lifetime.

   How strongly touching is discouraged: the Saudi Ministry of Hajj rules call it forbidden; Imam al-Nawawi (quoted by the Federal Territory Mufti) calls pressing against, stroking or kissing the wall disliked (makruh). Both say to avoid it.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah · Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi No. 462: Etiquette of visiting the Prophet’s grave (Malay)

7. 7SunnahAny day in Madinah

   Quba Mosque

   Quba Mosque is the first mosque built in the Prophet’s time, in the south-west of Madinah, about 5 km from the Prophet’s Mosque.

   The Prophet said that whoever purifies himself at home, then comes to Quba Mosque and prays in it, has a reward like that of an umrah. So purify yourself where you are staying before you go.

   The Quba pedestrian avenue (about 3.6 km) links the Prophet’s Mosque with Quba Mosque.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Sites to visit in Madinah

8. 8SunnahDuring your stay

   Al-Baqi’ and the martyrs of Uhud

   Al-Baqi’ cemetery lies to the south-east of the Prophet’s Mosque and has been the main cemetery of Madinah since the Prophet’s time.

   The martyrs’ cemetery lies at the foot of Mount Uhud, where 70 companions were martyred in the Battle of Uhud. It is sunnah to greet them and pray for them.

   The Federal Territory Mufti (quoting al-Fiqh al-Manhaji) recommends visiting al-Baqi’ every day, and the martyrs of Uhud, while in Madinah.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Sites to visit in Madinah · Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi No. 462: Etiquette of visiting the Prophet’s grave (Malay)

9. 9OverviewThroughout your stay

   Fridays and etiquette in the Madinah sanctuary

   Fridays are very crowded: go early and leave late, do not push or crowd, and avoid sitting or praying in direct sun in summer.

   Do not sit or spread prayer mats in the walkways inside the mosque, so people can move freely.

   Within the Madinah sanctuary, hunting wild animals and cutting trees are prohibited.

   Sources: Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

10. 10ObligationThe day you leave for Makkah

    Leaving for Makkah: ihram at Bir Ali

    Pilgrims leaving Madinah for umrah or hajj enter ihram at the miqat of Dhul Hulaifah, also known as Bir Ali (Abyar Ali). The Prophet set this miqat for the people of Madinah.

    Entering ihram at the miqat is an obligation of umrah and hajj; the next steps are in the umrah guide.

    Sources: Federal Territory Mufti — Al-Kafi No. 1095: Bir Ali or Dhul Hulaifah (Malay) · JAWHAR — Hajj and Umrah Guidelines · JAWHAR — Management Manual for Hajj Ifrad, Tamattu' and Qiran (Malay)