Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque for the First Time: Etiquette

A visit to the Prophet's Mosque is not itself an Umrah or a Hajj rite, and you do not wear ihram for it.

If you live in Madinah, see our guide to booking a Rawdah permit on Nusuk.

Many pilgrims visit Madinah before or after their Umrah or Hajj, out of love for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and for the reward of praying in his mosque. There is a well-known report, attributed to Bukhari and Muslim, that a prayer in this mosque is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except the Sacred Mosque in Makkah.

Here is how to visit with good manners.

Before you go

• Be clean and in wudu, so you can pray as soon as you arrive.
• Wear modest, clean clothes.
• Carry little: a small bag, your phone on silent, and a bag for your shoes.

Entering the mosque

1. Enter with your right foot.
2. Say a short dua for entering a mosque if you know one, or remember Allah in your own words.
3. Pray two rak'ahs to greet the mosque in a place where you are not blocking anyone.
4. Keep your voice low from the moment you step inside.

Men and women

Men and women may be guided to different areas, entrances, or times on the day. Follow the mosque staff, and agree a meeting point with your family or group beforehand.

Greeting the Prophet (peace be upon him)

The grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) lies within the mosque, with the graves of Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) beside it.

1. Move with the flow of people toward the grave area. Do not stop in the middle of the line.
2. Offer salam to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a low voice, for example: As-salamu 'alayka ya Rasulallah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah). Send blessings upon him.
3. Then offer salam to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).
4. Then offer salam to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
5. Move on so that others can come forward.

What to avoid

• Do not wipe the screen or the walls.
• Do not push to get closer.
• Do not raise your voice, call out, or argue in the line.
• Do not stop to take long photos or videos.

Making dua

When you make dua, face the qiblah, as you would in any mosque, and ask Allah directly. Ask for yourself, your family, your parents, and the whole ummah, in any language you like.

The Rawdah

The Rawdah is a special area of the mosque, between the Prophet's (peace be upon him) house and his minbar. Many visitors hope to pray there.

• Access is organised by the authorities and the arrangements can change.
• Follow the staff at all times.
• Pray briefly and calmly, then make room for the next person.

If you are not able to reach the Rawdah, do not be sad. Praying anywhere in the mosque is a blessing.

Baqi

If you visit the cemetery of Baqi, keep the visit short and calm, and follow the staff.

Leaving

Leave calmly, stepping out with your left foot. Collect your shoes, check your belongings, and meet your group at the place you agreed.

Where schools of law differ on the details of the visit, ask the scholar with your group.

Source: Practical arrangements change. Check the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Nusuk, and the official Saudi visa site for current entry rules.