1. Adult Male or Female
2. Minor: Boy
3. Minor: Girl

Mimbar (Pulpit) of The Prophet (P.B.U.H.)

It is on the same place as the current Mimbar where the Jumu`ah and Eid Khutbahs (sermons) are performed.

SUFFAH
The Suffah (platform/area or the area in the shade of a building) is an area where many of the Sahaabah were taught by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Many people assume that the raised platform near Bab al-Jibril is the Suffah. According to researchers, this could not have been possible, as their research points to the Suffah being in line with the Masjid. The raised platform is not at such a position. These researchers claim that the raised area was in actual fact placed there by the Turks as a place where guards would gather and keep watch. Allah alone knows best.

The Pillars

• Ustuwanah Hannanah (The weeping pillar): It was on this spot that once a palm tree used to grow. Prior to the building of the Mimbar, Rasulullah(SAW)used to lean on it while delivering the khutbah. When the mimbar was made, Rasulullah(SAW) used that instead during the khutbah. It so happened when the change took place, such a piercing sound of weeping came from the tree, that those in the Masjid also started weeping. Rasulullah(SAW) went to the tree and by placing his hand on it, its crying stopped. Rasulullah(SAW) then said: “The tree cries because the Zikr of Allah I was near it, and now that the Mimbar is built, it has been deprived of this Zikr in its immediate vicinity. If I did not place my hand on it, it would have continued to cry till the Day of Qiyamah.” This pillar is adjacent to what was Rasulullah’s place of Salah.
• Ustuwanah `A’ishah / Qur`ah:`A’ishah ((P.B.U.H.).A.) reports that Rasulullah (P.B.U.H.) said: “In this Masjid is one such spot that if people knew the true blessed nature thereof, they would flock towards it in such a manner, that to pray there they would have to cast lots to get a turn (Arabic for casting lots is Qur`ah).” People asked her to point out the exact spot. When she did not answer they sent her nephew `Abdullah ibn
  Zubayr. They watched him as he performed Salaah at the same spot. They also watched his son `Amir also perform Salaah at that spot. It was on this that they marked this spot as being the one `A’ishah had mentioned.(at-Tabarani)
• Ustuwanah Tawbah / Abu Lubabah: Abu Lubabah was more furious with the Banu Qurayzah than others, when they went against their pledge with the Muslims, as he had trusted them the most. When they were defeated and taken captive he told them that they were to be killed by making a sign across his throat. After having done that, he became so grieved at this premature indiscretion that he could not rest. He thereupon came to the Masjid and at this spot where a date-tree used to stand, he bound himself to the trunk saying: “As long as my repentance is not accepted by Allah, I shall not untie myself from here. And Rasulullah(SAW) himself must undo my bonds.” When Rasulullah(SAW) heard this he said: “If he had come to me I could have begged forgiveness on his behalf. Now he had acted on his own initiative, I cannot untie him until his repentance has been accepted.” For many days he remained tied there. His wife and daughter used to untie him for Salaah or for when he had to answer the call of nature, and thereafter tie him up again. He remained without food and drink for so long as a result of which his sight and hearing were affected. In this state after many days Rasulullah(SAW) was in Tahajjud prayer in the house of Umm Salamah, when he received the good news that Abu Lubabah’s repentance had been accepted.(al-Bayhaqi and others)
• Ustuwanah Sarir: It is reported that Rasulullah(SAW) used to make I`tikaaf here, and also sleep here whilst in I`tikaaf. There are also narrations that suggest he would lean on Ustuwanah Tawbah whilst in I`tikaaf.(Ibn Khuzaymah)
• Ustuwanah Hars/`Ali: Hars means to watch, protect or safeguard. This was next to where the door to the Prophet’s (P.B.U.H.) room used to be and is thus the place where, according to scholars, some of the Sahaabah used to sit when attending to the security of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) at night. `Ali used to be the one who mostly acted as such, for which it is often called Ustuwanah `Ali.
• Ustuwanah Wufud: Wufud means caravans or delegations. Scholars tell us that when tribal leaders or their representatives used to arrive wanting to meet Rasulullah(SAW) on behalf of their tribes, they were attended to at this spot. It was also here that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to teach Deen to them.
• Ustuwanah Tahajjud: It has been noted that Rasulullah(SAW) used to perform Tahajjud prayer at this spot and make excessive Du’a.
• Ustuwanah Jibril: This has been marked as the place where Jibril used to visit Rasulullah(SAW). Today it cannot be seen as it lies inside the chamber of Rasulullah (SAW). It is worth remembering that the entire area of the Masjid was walked and dwelled upon by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and his companions and is thus significant and of historical value to Muslims.
• Du’a for leaving the Masjid:

• Jannah al-Baqi` (or Baqi` al-Gharqad):This is the Graveyard of Madinah where rest many of the illustrious companions of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Du’a at Baqi`:

Make du’a for it’s inhabitants and pray for their forgiveness, as this was the practice of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Many buried here are those whom Allah had used to propagate His Deen. Through their efforts we have directly benefitted.(al-Hakim)

• Badr: The town of Badr is 12km to the south of Madinah. It is the place where in the second year of Hijrah a small army of very ill equipped Muslims (313 in total) defeated the Pagan Arabs who had an army over three times the size and several times better equipped than their own.
• Mount Uhud: Regarding the mountain of Uhud, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has stated, “Uhud is a mountain that loves us, and we love it.”(Ibn Majah)
  There one should visit the graves of the martyrs of Uhud. The most well-known of whom is the uncle of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.),Hamzah (R.A.).(Ahmad)
• Masjid Quba / Taqwa: This was the first Masjid built by the Muslims. It is situated in a village called Quba on the outskirts of Madinah, therefore a taxi will be needed to get there. Before going one should make sure one is in a state of purity. It is Sunnah to visit on Saturday and perform two rak`ahs in the Masjid. In a Hadith it is mentioned that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to visit Masjid Quba every Saturday.(al-Bukhari)
  It has also been mentioned that the Messenger (P.B.U.H.) has said, ‘Whoever purifies him (or her) self at home and then goes to Masjid Quba and performs Salaah, for him is a reward likened to that of `Umrah.’(Ibn Majah)
• Masjid Jumu`ah: It was here that the first Friday Salaah was performed by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Near this Masjid was the home of our Nabi’s(SAW) mother’s family.
• Masjid Qiblatain: Here, during a Salaah which the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was performing, the direction of Qiblah changed from Masjid al-Aqsa to the Ka`bah. Nabi (P.B.U.H.) changed his direction and those standing behind him also changed their direction.
• Masjid Ahzab: In this area there were seven Masajid. It was here that the defensive trench was dug by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and the Sahaabah, in the 5th year of Hijrah, to hold out against the enemies. This was known as the “Battle of the Trench”.
• Masjid Miqat: This is the Miqat for those going from Madinah to Makkah. This Masjid is also called Masjid ash-Shajarah(The Masjid of the Tree) because it is built at the place where the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) rested underneath a tree when going to Makkah. This Masjid is most commonly known as Masjid Zul-Hulayfah because it is situated in that area.

Du’a at the graves of Uhud:

The Chamber of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) is The Prophet’s (P.B.U.H.) resting place.

One should now understand that one is in the presence of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), and that Allah has enabled him to listen to what is being said to him. There are three gold wire-mesh enclosures, with round holes in all of them. There are three round holes in the middle enclosure, and only two in the others. In the middle enclosure the first hole (which is the largest of all) is directly in line with face of Rasulullah (P.B.U.H.). Moving slightly to the right is the second hole (of the middle enclosure) which is in line with the face of Abu Bakr (R.A.). Likewise, a third hole in this same enclosure is aligned to the face of `Umar (R.A.).
Note: It is not worth trying to look through the holes as there is nothing that can be seen apart from a barrier. One should stand a few yards away from the enclosure facing the chamber (this will be with one’s back towards Qiblah). One must not be inattentive here nor allow one’s thoughts to wander. Do not stand too close to the chamber (you’ll be stopped by the guard and humiliated for something not necessary). It is not compulsory to convey Salaam with specific words. One may recite any such words that convey respect and honour. Avoid reciting large passages without understanding and feeling.

In front of Rasulullah (P.B.U.H.) recite:

• Shahadah:

• Salaam:

• Du’a: One should do Du’a to Allah through the medium of the Prophet i.e. that Allah forgives you because this was the wish of the Prophet that all his followers are granted forgiveness and proximity to Allah. (Abu Dawud)
• At this point one may convey the Salaam of others.

Greet Abu Bakr (R.A.) by reciting: 

Then greet `Umar (R.A.) by reciting:

Thereafter, make du’a for them both.
Then face the Qiblah and make du’a silently for oneself, and all one’s loved ones, as well as the entire ummah of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in general. Ask for all those permitted things which Allah alone can grant/fulfill. It is worth noting that at peak times the guards will only allow people entrance from Bab as-Salaam so that the crowd flows in one direction briefly pausing for Salaam and then continuing out from Bab Baqi.

• MIHRAB OF NABI (P.B.U.H.)
  This is identified by an Arabic inscription on the wall that says that this was the place where the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) would offer Salaah. To stop people walking over this place, Abu Bakr built a wall to cover it only leaving that part uncovered where the feet of the Nabi (P.B.U.H.) were placed at the time of Salaah.

Rawdah (Garden of Paradise)

The original size was approximately 22 meters in length and 15 meters in width. Thereafter, a section was included in the chamber of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).
The Rawdah is presently covered by a green carpet and has white pillars. This distinguishes it from its surroundings. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has said, “What is between my house and my Mimbar (pulpit) is a garden from amongst the gardens of paradise.” (al-Bukhari)

When Entering al-Masjid-un-Nabawi(The Prophet’s (P.B.U.H.) Masjid)

If possible enter from Bab al-Jibril with the right foot with the intention of Nafl I`tikaaf and recite:

• Perform two rak`ahs Salaah upon entry into the Masjid.
• Women may not be able to gain entry to the Rawdah straight away. They should go into the women’s section at the rear of the masjid and perform these acts there.
• Women will be allowed to present themselves at the resting place of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) at certain times. They should walk acknowledging the sacredness of the place, and get to whatever place is available and send salutations upon the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and his Companions. Once there, they too can perform the various acts of the Masjid.
• When inside the Masjid, while one will be overwhelmed by the magnificence of the place, one’s attention and focus should remain on one’s Ibaadat, as one is not there to sight-see.
• Do not prostrate or even bend down (in ruku`) before the grave of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Do not face the grave from any direction for the sake of making Salaah with the intention that the grave is there. To do so is not in accordance with the teachings or liking of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). One should remember that they are there out of love for the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), not for objects which were not around at the time of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).

Before leaving Madinah

Try to perform one’s final two rak`aats in the Rawdah. Thereafter, offer one’s farewell Salaam to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Thereafter, engage in Du’a. One should also spend time reflecting on one’s actions when returning home. This is so that if one can remember any wrong or inappropriate action one can repent to Allah over it. As one is still a traveler until one returns home, and that the traveler’s supplications are accepted, one should supplicate for one’s own forgiveness and also for the forgiveness for the Ummah in general over and over again.

Whilst in Madinah

• One should spend as much time as possible in the Masjid. And when there, one should perform I`tikaaf. Nafl I`tikaaf can be of any duration. Remain busy in worship as good deeds in Madinah are equal to 1,000 good deeds elsewhere. (al-Bukhari and Muslim).
• Perform all Salaah with congregation at the al-Masjid an-Nabawi. As the reward for Salaah with congregation is 25/27 times greater than Salaah offered individually.
• Nafl Salaah should in general be performed as much as possible in the Rawdah. The best times to go are away from Salaah times as there are considerably less people then.
• Besides compulsory duties and necessities, the most virtuous act whilst performing Ziyarah is the continuous recitation of Salawaat and Salaam. As often as possible recite Salaam at the Prophet’s grave. If Salaam is not possible by the Sacred Chamber then it can be said from anywhere within the Masjid. Even if one passes the grave from the outside, convey Salaam before continuing.
• Recite Salawaat abundantly with complete sincerity and true adoration.
• Also be sure to perform as many Sunan as possible.
• One should avoid all prohibited and undesirable deeds and items. And one should endeavor to do as many good deeds as possible.
• Respect and honour all of Madinah’s citizens. Treat them kindly. Even if they may not be willing to return the favour, one should bear it with patience.
• Avoid quarreling and dispute.
• Smile in the face of difficulty and hardship.
• Allow the thought of earning Allah’s and His Prophet’s pleasure stop one’s complaints.
• If one buys anything in Madinah, buy with the intention of assisting the traders in their livelihood. Such an intention will reap additional virtue, as long as what is to be brought is appropriate according to Islam.
• In Ramadan the aal-Masjid-un-Nabawi is open at night. Some of these doors are open and it is possible to get to the Rawdah and perform Ibaadat with ease, for as long as one desires (even the whole night long if one wishes). The door facing Shari’ (road) `Abdul `Aziz is one that is generally open in Ramadan. Throughout the year, the Masjid is usually closed at night. It does however, open early (approximately 3 A.M.). At this time one can enter the Masjid and perform one’s Ibaadat with ease. The doors which they open first, vary. One may be able to find out which one will open first from the guards, by asking them politely.