Key Takeaways
- Visiting Madinah is not part of Umrah but is a beloved Sunnah journey.
- A prayer in Masjid an-Nabawi is better than 1,000 prayers elsewhere (except Masjid al-Haram).
- Rawdah visits must be booked through the Nusuk app.
- Lower your voice and maintain adab – this is the city of the Prophet ﷺ.
In this article
Madinah al-Munawwarah – the radiant city – is where the Prophet ﷺ lived, built his mosque and is buried. Almost every Umrah and Hajj package includes a few days here. Its calm atmosphere and the warmth of its people make it a highlight of the journey.
The Virtue of Masjid an-Nabawi
The Prophet ﷺ said: “One prayer in this mosque of mine is better than a thousand prayers in any other mosque, except al-Masjid al-Haram.” (Bukhari, Muslim). He ﷺ also said that journeys should be undertaken only to three mosques: al-Masjid al-Haram, his mosque, and al-Masjid al-Aqsa (Bukhari).
Sending Salam to the Prophet ﷺ
Enter with respect
Enter with your right foot reciting the dua for entering the masjid, and pray two rak‘ah of Tahiyyat al-Masjid.
Proceed towards the blessed grave
Men usually enter the queue from Bab as-Salam and walk along the qiblah wall.
Send salam
Say: “As-salamu ‘alayka ya Rasulallah” (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah), then send salam to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) and Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), whose graves are beside his.
Move on calmly
Keep moving with the line. For personal dua, step away and face the Qiblah.
The Rawdah – A Garden of Paradise
“What is between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” (Bukhari). The Rawdah is marked by its green carpet. Visits are now managed through time slots:
- Book your slot in the Nusuk app – usually one visit per pilgrim within a set period.
- Men and women have separate timings.
- Arrive at the gate shown on your permit a little before your slot.
- Pray two rak‘ah and make dua; staff will guide you to give space to others.
Check the Nusuk app as soon as you arrive in Saudi Arabia – or even before – and try again at different times of day if no slots are available. Our group leaders help every pilgrim with this.
Etiquette in Madinah
- Lower your voice in the Masjid and near the blessed grave (Qur’an 49:2).
- Send abundant salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
- Avoid pushing in crowds, especially near the Rawdah and Bab as-Salam.
- Avoid practices not supported by the Sunnah, such as wiping the walls or grilles for blessings.
- Be kind and generous to the people of Madinah.
Other Places to Visit
Don’t miss Masjid Quba, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Mount Uhud and Jannat al-Baqi – see our complete Ziyarat guide.
Practical Tips
- Remember your gate number – Masjid an-Nabawi has more than 40 gates.
- The giant umbrellas in the courtyard open during the day to provide shade.
- Zamzam water dispensers are available throughout the mosque.
- Madinah winters can be cold at night – carry a light jacket from December to February.
- Shop for Ajwa dates, prayer mats and attar near the mosque, but compare prices first.
Stay close to Masjid an-Nabawi
Our packages offer hotels within walking distance of the Haram in Madinah.
Travel Point Team
Hajj & Umrah Specialists since 2014 · Gorakhpur, Uttar PradeshOur team has guided thousands of pilgrims from Gorakhpur and across India on Hajj and Umrah. These guides are written from first-hand experience to help you prepare with confidence. For religious rulings, please also consult a trusted scholar.
