For every believer, traveling to Madinah Munawwarah—the City of the Enlightened One ﷺ—is the pinnacle of emotional and spiritual devotion. Madinah is the sanctuary blessed by the physical presence of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, where the Green Dome (Gumbad-e-Khizra) covers his sacred resting place.
While visiting Madinah is not a ritual pillar of Umrah or Hajj itself, it is one of the most emphasized acts of worship (Mustahab Mu'akkad) in Islam.
Based on official Dawat-e-Islami guidebooks published in Ziyarat-e-Madinah and Rafiq-ul-Haramayn by Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Maulana Ilyas Qadri, this guide outlines the spiritual manners and etiquettes of visiting Madinah and presenting Salam at the Sacred Court.
1. Virtues of Visiting the Prophet's Mosque
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ revealed:
"Whoever visits my grave, my intercession (Shafa'ah) becomes obligatory for him." (Sunan al-Daraqutni)
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He ﷺ also stated:
"Whoever performs Hajj and then visits my grave after my death, it is as if he visited me during my life." (Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat)
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2. Etiquettes of the Journey to Madinah
- Intention (Niyyat): Intend primarily to visit the Holy Prophet ﷺ and his sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi).
- Abundant Salawat: As your vehicle approaches the boundary of Madinah Munawwarah, increase your recitation of Durood Shareef with deep love and humility.
- Gazing at the Green Dome: When the Green Dome (Gumbad-e-Khizra) first comes into view, send Salawat, weep out of spiritual joy, and make sincere Duas.
3. Etiquettes Upon Entering Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
- Perform Ghusl & Wear Attar: Take a bath, put on clean white clothes, and apply natural fragrance (Attar) before entering.
- Enter via Bab-us-Salam: Step in with your right foot through Bab-us-Salam (Gate of Peace) or any open entrance.
- Recite Entering Dua:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ ("Bismillahi was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasoolillahi. Allahummaf-tah lee abwaba rahmatik.")
4. Presenting Salam at the Golden Grilles (Muwajahah Shareef)
Stand in front of the Golden Grilles (Muwajahah Shareef) with utmost awe, lower your eyes, keep your voice gentle, and stand approximately 4 to 5 feet back out of respect.
` +-----------------------------------+
| THE SACRED GOLDEN GRILLES |
| [1] Resting Place of PROPHET ﷺ |
| [2] Resting Place of ABU BAKR (RA) |
| [3] Resting Place of UMAR (RA) |
+-----------------------------------+ `
Step A: Salam to the Holy Prophet ﷺ
Stand facing the first large circular brass opening aligned with the Prophet's blessed face and recite with deep love:
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حَبِيبَ اللَّهِ "Assalamu 'alaika ya Rasoolallah. Assalamu 'alaika ya Habeeballah." (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah! Peace be upon you, O Beloved of Allah!)
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If friends or relatives asked you to convey their personal Salams, say: "Assalamu 'alaika ya Rasoolallah, from [Name] son of [Name], who requests your intercession."
Step B: Salam to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (radiyallahu 'anhu)
Move one step to your right, standing inline with the second circular opening:
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ "Assalamu 'alaika ya Aba Bakrinis-Siddeeq." (Peace be upon you, O Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, companion of the Prophet in the cave!)
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Step C: Salam to Sayyiduna Umar al-Farooq (radiyallahu 'anhu)
Move one more step to your right, standing inline with the third circular opening:
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عُمَرَ الْفَارُوقَ "Assalamu 'alaika ya 'Umaral-Farooq." (Peace be upon you, O Umar al-Farooq, who strengthened Islam!)
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5. Praying in Riyad-ul-Jannah (The Garden of Paradise)
The area between the Prophet's sacred house and his Minbar is known as Riyad-ul-Jannah (The Garden of Paradise), distinguished by floral green carpets.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
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- If granted access (via official Nusuk appointment permits), offer 2 Rak'ahs of Nafl prayer in Riyad-ul-Jannah and make abundant Istighfar and Dua.
Summary Protocol for Visiting Madinah
[ ] Perform Ghusl & apply Attar before entering Al-Masjid an-Nabawi [ ] Enter via Bab-us-Salam with right foot [ ] Stand reverently 4-5 feet back from Golden Grilles [ ] Recite Salam to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in a gentle, humble voice [ ] Conveys personal Salams from family members [ ] Present Salam to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr & Sayyiduna Umar (RA) [ ] Pray 2 Nafl Rak'ahs in Riyad-ul-Jannah if permit is secured
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women visit the Golden Grilles and Rawdah?
Yes! Al-Masjid an-Nabawi has designated visiting hours and separate entrances for women to present Salam at the Muwajahah Shareef and pray in Riyad-ul-Jannah, managed via official Nusuk app scheduling.
How many days should one stay in Madinah?
It is a traditional Sunnah to stay long enough to offer 40 consecutive prayers in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (approx. 8 days), earning freedom from hypocritical characteristics and hellfire, as recorded in authentic Hadith.
How does Salah Live assist visitors to Madinah?
Salah Live provides live Madinah prayer time alerts, historical Ziyarat guides (Jabal Uhud, Masjid Quba, Jannat-ul-Baqi), and authentic Salawat references for visitors.
This guide is authored for Salah Live based on official Dawat-e-Islami literature published in Ziyarat-e-Madinah and Rafiq-ul-Haramayn.
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Find accurate Azan timings, Friday Jummah schedules, and verified local masjids near you on Salah Live.