Madinah is known for its calm. Many visitors say it is the place where they finally slow down. A little care in everyday things helps keep it that way, for you and for everyone around you.
For more on coping with the heat, see our Madinah heat safety guide.
Heat and water
Madinah can be very hot, especially in the middle of the day.
- Drink water often, before you feel thirsty. Carry a small bottle.
- Rest in the hottest hours if you can, and plan walks for cooler times.
- Cover your head from the sun when you are outside, and use an umbrella if it helps.
- Watch the elderly and children in your group. Heat affects them faster.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, headache, or nausea. Move into shade, drink, and get help if it does not pass.
Comfortable shoes
You will walk more than you expect: to the mosque, around it, and back again, several times a day.
- Wear shoes you have already walked in. New shoes can cause blisters.
- Choose shoes that are easy to take off and put on.
- Carry a small bag for your shoes inside the mosque, or remember exactly where you left them.
Keep your belongings safe
- Keep your bag closed and in front of you in crowds.
- Carry only what you need. Leave valuables you do not need in your room.
- Keep your phone secure, and do not leave it on the floor while you pray.
Know the prayer times
Life in Madinah moves around the five daily prayers.
- Check the prayer times each day, and plan to arrive early.
- The areas around the mosque fill quickly before each prayer. Arriving early means less rushing and a calmer place to pray.
- Agree a meeting point with your group for after the prayer.
Keep walkways and doorways clear
- Do not sit, pray, or stand in walkways and doorways where people need to pass.
- Do not leave bags or shoes in a path.
- If you need to stop to check your phone or wait for someone, step to the side.
Speak quietly
The Prophet's Mosque is a place of worship and reflection. Keep your voice low, inside the mosque and in the courtyards around it. Keep phone calls short and quiet, and put your phone on silent.
Be patient with crowds
You will meet people from every part of the world. Everyone is tired, everyone is far from home, and everyone wants the same thing.
- Do not push. If a space is full, wait or find another.
- Let others go first when you can.
- Smile, and assume the best of people.
The Rawdah
The Rawdah inside the Prophet's Mosque is often very crowded.
- Do not push to get closer.
- Follow the staff. Access is organised by the authorities, and arrangements can change.
- Pray briefly and calmly, then make room for others.
Other mosques and places
Many visitors also pray at Quba Mosque and visit other places in and around Madinah. These visits are optional. They are not a checklist.
Do not exhaust yourself trying to see everything. Keep your strength for the prayers in the Prophet's Mosque, for rest, and for caring for the people with you.
Where schools of law differ on any of these visits, ask the scholar with your group.
Look after each other
Check on your companions often, especially the elderly. Share water, wait for slower walkers, and keep your group together. Good character is part of the visit.
Source: Practical arrangements change. Check the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Nusuk, and the official Saudi visa site for current entry rules.
Leave a Reply