To visit Madina is not a Haj or Umrah rite, but the unique merits of the Prophet's city, his Mosque and his sacred tomb attract every pilgrim to visit it. There is neither Ihram nor talbiyah for the visit to Madinah or the Prophet's Mosque.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself participated in the construction of this mosque, called it "My Mosque" and led prayers in it for years. He has also said that a salah performed in the Prophet's Mosque is better than a thousand salats in any other place except Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.
According to Hazrat Anas, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has also said
"The person who offers 40 prayers consecutively in my Mosque, without missing a prayer in between, will secure immunity from the fire of Hell and other torments and also from hypocrisy."
- Travel to Madina and Niyyah:
When you start travel to Madinah, Make niyyah (intention) as:
" O Allah! I start journey to visit the holy tomb of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Please accept it from me."
During this journey, recite Darud Sharif frequently. When the city of Madinah is in sight, show your extreme fondness and excitement and humbly enter the city while reciting Darud and Salam
- Masjid-e-Nabvi:
After putting your luggage at your residence, take a bath or perform ablutions (vudu), wear nice dress, apply perfume and proceed towards the Prophet's Mosque while uttering Darud.
- Bab-e-Jibril:
Enter the mosque through Bab-e-Jibril or Bab-us-Salaam or if this is not possible, enter through any other door.
- Right Foot:
Place your right foot first in the entrance, praise Allah (such as say Allhu Akbar, Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, etc.), recite Darud and say:
"Allah humma aftah li abwabe rahamte ka"
- Two Raka't Nafl:
If it is not undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two rakahs of nafl tahiyyat al-masjid (greeting of the masjid) preferably in Riaz al-Jannah near the tomb of the Prophet or otherwise anywhere else in the mosque.
- In front of the Holy Tomb:
In front of the sacred tomb of The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), there are three sections of brass screens and all three have holes in them. Standing in front of it and facing it, say in a respectful and hushed voice:
"Assalamu alaika, ayyuhan-nabiyya wa rahmatul-lahi wa barakatuhu"
- Offer Salam of others:
Now offer salam of relatives or friends in your own language or say: "Asslamu alaika ya Rasul Allah min----."
After the word "min", add the name of your friend or relative.
- Salam on Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique:
Then move a little to the right and stand before the grave of Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Greet him and supplicate to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on him.
- Salam on Hazrat Umar Farooq:
Again move a little to the right before the grave of Hazrat Umar ( may Allah be pleased with him), and greet him and make supplication for him.
- Forty Prayers:
Men should offer forty prayers (Salat) in the Prophet's Mosque, but it is not a requirement of any kind. It is only Mustahab, i.e., rewarding if done, but if not done there is no sin.
- Other places to visit:
Some of the other important places to visit are: Masjid Quba, Jannat al-Baqee, graves of Hazrat Hamzah and other martyrs of Uhud (may Allah be pleased with them) and Masjid Qiblatain, etc.
Among them Masjid Quba is the most important. It is the first mosque in the history of Islam whose foundation stone was laid down by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself on his migration to Madinah. To offer 2 raka'ats of nafl in it is equal to one Umrah. After visiting the Prophet's Mosque and his tomb every pilgrim should try his best to visit it and pray in this mosque as well.
- Departure from Madinah:
When you have to leave Madinah, offer your Salam again to the Prophet (peace be upon him), cry at this separation, supplicate to Allah and leave with the earnest desire to come back.
- Travel to Madina and Niyyah:
When you start travel to Madinah, Make niyyah (intention) as:
" O Allah! I start journey to visit the holy tomb of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Please accept it from me."
- Masjid-e-Nabvi:
After putting your luggage at your residence, take a bath or perform ablutions (vudu), wear nice dress, apply perfume and proceed towards the Prophet's Mosque while uttering Darud.
- Bab-e-Jibril:
Enter the mosque through Bab-e-Jibril or Bab-us-Salaam or if this is not possible, enter through any other door.
- Right Foot:
Place your right foot first in the entrance, praise Allah (such as say Allhu Akbar, Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, etc.), recite Darud and say:
"Allah humma aftah li abwabe rahamte ka"
- Two Raka't Nafl:
If it is not undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two rakahs of nafl tahiyyat al-masjid (greeting of the masjid) preferably in Riaz al-Jannah near the tomb of the Prophet or otherwise anywhere else in the mosque
- In front of the Holy Tomb:
In front of the sacred tomb of The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), there are three sections of brass screens and all three have holes in them. Standing in front of it and facing it, say in a respectful and hushed voice:
"Assalamu alaika, ayyuhan-nabiyya wa rahmatul-lahi wa barakatuhu"
- Offer Salam of others:
Now offer salam of relatives or friends in your own language or say:
"Asslamu alaika ya Rasul Allah min----"
After the word "min", add the name of your friend or relative.
- Salam on Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique:
Then move a little to the right and stand before the grave of Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Greet him and supplicate to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on him.
- Salam on Hazrat Umar Farooq:
Again move a little to the right before the grave of Hazrat Umar ( may Allah be pleased with him), and greet him and make supplication for him.
- Forty Prayers:
Men should offer forty prayers (Salat) in the Prophet's Mosque, but it is not a requirement of any kind. It is only Mustahab, i.e., rewarding if done, but if not done there is no sin.
- Other places to visit:
Some of the other important places to visit are: Masjid Quba, Jannat al-Baqee, graves of Hazrat Hamzah and other martyrs of Uhud (may Allah be pleased with them) and Masjid Qiblatain, etc.
Among them Masjid Quba is the most important. It is the first mosque in the history of Islam whose foundation stone was laid down by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself on his migration to Madinah. To offer 2 raka'ats of nafl in it is equal to one Umrah. After visiting the Prophet's Mosque and his tomb every pilgrim should try his best to visit it and pray in this mosque as well.
- Departure from Madinah:
When you have to leave Madinah, offer your Salam again to the Prophet (peace be upon him), cry at this separation, supplicate to Allah and leave with