The Virtues & Etiquette of Visiting Madinah and the Prophet’s Mosque

The Virtues of Madinah & Proper Etiquette for Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque

Madinah is a sacred land on the face of the earth, and it has several names such as Taba, Taybah, Dar al-Iman, Dar al-Hijrah, etc. Generally, this city is known as Madinah Munawwarah, but this term is not found in the early generations. When we say Madinah Munawwarah, it refers to all the Islamic lands, as Islam has illuminated all places. Therefore, it is better to describe Madinah with a specific prophetic attribute. Its old name was Yathrib, but using this name is now prohibited.

Virtue of Madinah

In the light of the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Madinah has countless virtues. Here are a few of them:

• Madinah is a place of goodness and blessings:
  والمدينةُ خيرٌ لهم لو كانوا يعلمون (صحيح البخاري:1875)
  Translation: And Madinah is a source of goodness and blessings for them if they knew.
  
• It is a sacred sanctuary:
  إنها حرَمٌ آمِنٌ (صحيح مسلم:1375)
  Translation: Indeed, Madinah is a secure sanctuary.
  
• Madinah is protected from plague and the Dajjal by angels:
  على أنقابِ المدينةِ ملائكةٌ ، لا يدخُلُها الطاعونُ ، ولا الدجالُ (صحيح البخاري:7133)
  Translation: Angels are stationed at the gates of Madinah, and neither plague nor the Dajjal can enter it.
  
• Faith will settle in Madinah:
  إن الإيمانَ ليأْرِزُ إلى المدينةِ ، كما تأْرِزُ الحيةُ إلى جُحرِها (صحيح البخاري:1876)
  Translation: Faith will settle in Madinah just as the snake settles in its hole.
  
• Love for Madinah:
  اللهمَّ حَبِبْ إلينَا المدينةَ كحُبِّنَا مكةَ أو أَشَدَّ (صحيح البخاري:1889)
  Translation: O Allah, make Madinah more beloved to us than Makkah, or at least as much.
  
• Intercession for those who die in Madinah:
  منِ استطاع أن يموتَ بالمدينةِ فلْيفعلْ فإني أشفعُ لمن ماتَ بها (السلسلة الصحيحة:6/1034)
  Translation: Whoever can die in Madinah should do so, for I will intercede for those who die there.
  

There is doubt about the people who live in Madinah or are invited there by Allah for its blessed land. In this blessed city lies the Prophet’s Mosque, which the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself constructed. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has commanded the visitation of this mosque:
لا تُشَدُّ الرحالُ إلا إلى ثلاثةِ مساجدَ : مسجدِ الحرامِ، ومسجدِ الأقصَى، ومسجدي هذا (صحيح البخاري:1995)
Translation: Do not undertake a journey to any mosque for the purpose of receiving reward except to three mosques: the Masjid al-Haram, Masjid al-Aqsa, and my mosque.

Thus, it is only permissible to travel to these three mosques for the purpose of reward. Visiting other mosques or graves is not permissible for seeking reward.

However, for those residing in Madinah or those who visit as pilgrims, besides the Prophet’s Mosque, the visitation of Masjid Quba, Jannat al-Baqi, and the Martyrs of Uhud is also legislated.

The Prophet’s Mosque:
The Prophet’s Mosque holds great significance and virtue. Except for the Masjid al-Haram, a prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque is more rewarding than a prayer in any other place on earth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
صلاةٌ في مسجدي هذا خيرٌ من ألفِ صلاةٍ فيما سواهُ، إلا المسجدَ الحرامَ (صحيح البخاري:1190)
Translation: A prayer in my mosque is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except in the Masjid al-Haram.

It is also referred to as the Haram Madani. There is a specific place within it which is one of the gardens of Jannah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
ما بين منبري وبيتي روضةٌ من رياضِ الجنةِ (صحيح مسلم:1390)
Translation: Between my pulpit and my house is a garden from the gardens of Jannah.

Etiquette for Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque:

1. When entering the Prophet’s Mosque, step in with your right foot first and recite the following dua:
   أَعوذُ باللهِ العَظيـم وَبِوَجْهِـهِ الكَرِيـم وَسُلْطـانِه القَديـم مِنَ الشّيْـطانِ الرَّجـيم، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله، اللّهُـمَّ افْتَـحْ لي أَبْوابَ رَحْمَتـِك.
   
2. Offer two rak’ahs of Salah with the intention of Tahiyyat al-Masjid (greeting the mosque). It is better to perform this prayer in the Rawdat al-Jannah area, and make plenty of supplications.
   
3. After this, offer Salat and Salam (greetings and peace) to the Prophet ﷺ with utmost respect. The following words for Salam are Sunnah:
   السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته , صلى الله عليك وجزاك عن أمتك خيرالجزاء.
   Then, greet Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) by saying:
   السلام علیک یا ابابکر! ورحمۃ اللہ وبرکاتہ، رضی اللہ عنک وجزاک عن امۃ محمد خیراً.
   Then, greet Hazrat Umar (RA) by saying:
   السلام علیک یا عمر بن الخطاب! ورحمۃ اللہ وبرکاتہ، رضی اللہ عنک وجزاک عن امۃ محمد خیراً.
   
4. For women, frequent visits to the graves are not allowed, as the Prophet ﷺ cursed women who visit graves frequently. However, an occasional visit is permissible.
   
5. Visitors should stay in the Prophet’s Mosque for as long as possible, engage in frequent supplications, seeking forgiveness, remembering Allah, reciting the Qur’an, and performing other voluntary acts of worship.
   
6. When leaving the mosque, recite the following dua:
   بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ وَالصَّلاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اعْصِمْنِي مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيم.
   

Warnings for Visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque:

1. It is not permissible to touch or kiss the windows of the Prophet’s chamber or the walls of the mosque with the intention of seeking blessings, nor is it permissible to perform Tawaf around them. These are innovations (bid’ah).
   
2. Asking the Prophet ﷺ for help in solving personal problems or seeking healing for sickness, or any other such requests, is not permissible. All these things should only be asked from Allah. Seeking such things from the deceased is considered shirk (associating others with Allah) and worshipping others besides Allah.
   
3. Some people stand facing the Prophet’s grave and raise their hands in prayer; this is also against the Sunnah. The proper way is to face the Qiblah and ask Allah directly.
   
4. Raising one’s voice near the Prophet’s grave, staying there for an extended period, reading specific supplications or sending Salat and Salam numerous times, is also against the Sunnah.
   
5. Some people place their hands on their chest or lower them like in prayer when sending Salat and Salam upon the Prophet ﷺ, which is an act of reverence and should be done only for Allah.
   
6. The current pulpit (minbar) is not the one used during the time of the Prophet ﷺ. Even if it were, seeking blessings from it or from the pillars of Rawdat al-Jannah, and intending to pray specifically near them, is not permissible.
   
7. It is incorrect to believe that the Prophet ﷺ hears the greetings or that his soul returns to him at the time of Salam. Such beliefs are false.
   

Jannat al-Baqi (Baqi’ al-Gharqad):

The correct name is Baqi’ al-Gharqad, not Jannat al-Baqi. This is the cemetery of the people of Madinah, where approximately ten thousand Ansar, Muhajirun, and the wives of the Prophet ﷺ are buried. However, due to the passage of time, especially the stream of water from the nearby Mahzur stream, the exact location of many graves is no longer identifiable. Some books have identified several graves, but these are estimations. Islam has forbidden raising graves, lighting lamps, or constructing buildings over them to prevent them from becoming places of worship.

It is important to maintain proper Islamic etiquette when visiting Baqi’ al-Gharqad. Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ, when spending the night at her house, would go to Baqi’ in the late hours and say the following prayer:
السلام عليكم دارَ قومٍ مؤمنين . وأتاكم ما تُوعدون غدًا . مُؤجَّلون . وإنا ، إن شاء الله ، بكم لاحقون . اللهمَّ ! اغفِرْ لأهلِ بقيعِ الغَرْقدِ (صحيح مسلم:974).
We should also recite this prayer and can ask Allah for forgiveness and elevation of the status of the deceased. However, it is important to avoid asking for intercession through the graves, standing with hands raised as a mark of respect, bowing or prostrating in front of them, performing Tawaf, weeping, or offering prayers facing the graves. It is also prohibited to take soil from the graves as a form of blessing, kiss or touch the graves or walls of the cemetery, or recite Surah Fatiha, Surah Yasin, the four Quls, or other such prayers as a form of blessing for the deceased. We must refrain from these actions in all circumstances.

Masjid Quba:

The Prophet ﷺ established Masjid Quba when he migrated from Makkah to Madinah. It holds great virtue, as mentioned in several Hadiths.
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْتِي مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءٍ، رَاكِباً وَمَاشِياً، فَيُصَلِّي فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ (صحيح مسلم:1399).
Translation: Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ would visit Masjid Quba, either riding or walking, and pray two rak’ahs there.

وَعَنْ سَهْل بن حُنَيْفٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ ثمَّ أَتَى مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءَ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ صَلاَةً كَانَ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ عُمْرَةٍ (صحيح ابن ماجه:1168).
Translation: Sahl bin Hunayf (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever performs ablution at his home and then comes to Masjid Quba to pray will receive the reward of an Umrah.”

From these Hadiths, we understand that it is beneficial to visit Masjid Quba and offer Salah there, especially on Saturdays or whenever one has the opportunity. However, no specific worship or rituals are mentioned for this mosque besides the prayer. Also, it is important to note that visiting Masjid Quba is only a recommended act for the people of Madinah or its visitors. It is not encouraged for someone from outside Madinah to visit Masjid Quba solely for the sake of visitation.

Shuhada’ Uhud (Martyrs of Uhud):

Mount Uhud is located near Madinah, where the Battle of Uhud took place in the third year after Hijrah between the Muslims and the Quraysh. Seventy companions, including 64 Ansar and 6 Muhajirun, were martyred in this battle and were buried at the foot of the mountain. Among the martyrs, the most notable are Sayyid al-Shuhada, Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, Mus’ab bin Umayr, Abdullah bin Hujash, Jaber bin Abdullah, Amr bin Jumuh, Sa’d bin Rabi, Khawja bin Zaid, and Numan bin Malik.

The graves of the martyrs are said to be in the direction of the Qiblah, but the exact locations of most of them are unknown except for that of Hamza (RA). Visitors should observe the same etiquettes while visiting the martyrs of Uhud as those mentioned for visiting Baqi’ al-Gharqad. Avoid practices like climbing the mountain as an act of worship, tying clothes or threads on trees or stones, or using the site as a place for rituals.

Three Important Pieces of Advice for Visitors:

1. Visiting places other than the sacred sites mentioned above, such as the Prophet’s Mosque, the blessed grave of the Prophet ﷺ, the graves of Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), Rawdat al-Jannah, Masjid Quba, Jannat al-Baqi, and the Martyrs of Uhud, with the intention of gaining reward, is not permissible. This includes mosques like Masajid al-Sab’ah, Masjid Jabal Uhud, Masjid Qiblatain, Masjid al-Jumu’ah, or Eidgah mosques, and historical sites like the Battlefields of Badr or Bir Ruhāʾ, which misguided people have falsely named Bir Shifa. Therefore, instead of wasting time and money, it is better to give charity to the poor.
   
2. Allah has granted you the opportunity to visit the city of the Prophet ﷺ. Be thankful to Allah for this blessing, and at the same time, make a firm resolve to love the Prophet ﷺ more than anything, even more than your own life. Love for the Prophet ﷺ is a part of faith. Among the signs of this love is gaining knowledge of his Sunnah, acting upon it, and spreading it to others. The etiquettes of visitation mentioned here and acting upon them are also part of loving the Prophet ﷺ.
   
3. There are three conditions for the acceptance of any action by Allah, and these should always be kept in mind:
   First condition: The intention must be pure. The Prophet ﷺ said:
   بِئْسَ اللَّهُ رَسُولُ الله (Bukhari)
   “Actions are judged by intentions.”
   
   Second condition: Belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid). If the one performing the action does not have correct belief, the good deed will not be accepted. Allah says:
   وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (Surah Al-An’am, 6:88)
   Translation: “And if they had associated others with Allah, then all that they used to do would have been nullified.”
   
   Third condition: The action must be in accordance with the Sunnah. Any action that is not in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is rejected. The Prophet ﷺ said:
   من عمل عملا لیس علیہ امرنا فہورد (Bukhari)
   Translation: “Whoever performs an action that is not in accordance with our command, it is rejected.”