Visiting Madinah

At a glance

• Ihram: not needed in Madinah
• Rawdah: booking in the Nusuk app is required
• Salam: in front of the Muwajahah, respectfully and quietly
• Ziyarat: Masjid Quba, Uhud and the martyrs of Uhud, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Jannat al-Baqi
• From Madinah to Makkah: Ihram at Dhul Hulaifah

Step-by-step guide

Entering Masjid an-Nabawi

1. Take a bath or make wudu, wear clean clothes and a little fragrance.
2. Enter with your right foot and recite the du’a for entering the mosque.
3. If it is not a makruh time, pray two rak’at Tahiyyat al-Masjid.

Offering salam to the Prophet ﷺ

1. Walk in the queue along the set route towards the Muwajahah.
2. Stand respectfully in front of the golden grille and offer salam quietly:

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ

3. Move a little further and offer salam to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him):

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيْقَ

4. Move a little further again and offer salam to Umar al-Faruq (may Allah be pleased with him):

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عُمَرَ الْفَارُوْقَ

5. Because of the crowd, don’t stop; offer salam as you walk. For du’a, sit somewhere in the mosque afterwards, facing the qiblah.

The Rawdah

1. Book in advance in the Nusuk app. Men and women have separate times.
2. Arrive at the stated gate at your time.
3. Keep your nafl prayer and du’a inside brief so others also get a chance.

Ziyarat in Madinah

• Masjid Quba: make wudu before leaving and pray two rak’at nafl there. A hadith describes its reward as equal to an Umrah.
• Mount Uhud and the martyrs of Uhud: offer salam to Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him) and the martyrs.
• Masjid al-Qiblatayn: where the qiblah was changed during prayer.
• Jannat al-Baqi: the cemetery beside Masjid an-Nabawi. Only men may enter, at set times.

Do

• Send salawat abundantly.
• Make an effort to pray in congregation in Masjid an-Nabawi. Many pilgrims aim for forty prayers; this is not a condition of Hajj or Umrah.
• Treat the people of Madinah with gentleness and respect.

Don’t

• Don’t raise your voice in front of the Muwajahah, and don’t touch the grille.
• Don’t prostrate or bow towards the blessed grave.
• Don’t push in the queue or spend time taking photos.

Common mistakes

• Going to the Rawdah without a booking and waiting in the queue.
• Passing the Miqat without Ihram when travelling from Madinah to Makkah.
• Spending so long on ziyarat that you miss prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi.

Frequently asked questions

Is going to Madinah part of Umrah? No. Umrah is completed in Makkah, but visiting the Prophet’s ﷺ resting place is a great blessing and the Hanafi scholars strongly encourage it.

Can women offer salam? Yes, there are separate times and routes for women. Staff or other women will guide you.

Where do I enter Ihram when going from Madinah to Makkah? At Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali). Details are on the “Ihram Guide” page.