The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “What is between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of Paradise” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). This area inside Masjid an-Nabawi is known as the Rawdah, or Riyadh ul Jannah. For many pilgrims, praying there is one of the most emotional moments of their whole journey.

Because the area is small and the number of visitors is huge, entry is now organised through official time slots in the Nusuk app. This guide explains how Rawdah booking works, what happens on the day and how to make the most of a few precious minutes.

Where is the Rawdah?

The Rawdah lies in the oldest part of Masjid an-Nabawi, between the place of the Prophet’s house (where his blessed grave now is) and his minbar. You can recognise it by its green carpet, while most of the mosque has red carpet. White-and-gold pillars, some with names linked to the companions, stand inside it. The area is roughly 22 metres by 15 metres, so only a limited number of people can be inside at once.

How to book a Rawdah slot in Nusuk

• Install the official Nusuk app and register (see our Nusuk app guide).
• Choose the Rawdah service (it may be listed as a visit to the Noble Rawdah).
• Pick a date and an available time slot. Men and women have separate slots.
• Add family members of the same gender if the app allows.
• Confirm and keep the QR code ready on your phone.

Slots are released on a rolling basis, so if you see nothing at first, check again at different times of the day. The authorities have set limits on how often one person can visit within a period (at times this has been once a year), so read the current conditions in the app before you book.

What happens on the day

Arrive early, ideally 30 minutes before your slot. Staff will guide you to the correct gate. For men, entry is usually through the gates near Bab as-Salam side; women have dedicated entrances and times. Gates can change, so follow the instructions in your permit and the signs.

You will wait in a holding area with other pilgrims, and groups are let in one after another. Inside you typically have a short time, often around 10 to 15 minutes. Staff will remind people to keep moving so everyone gets a turn.

How to spend your time in the Rawdah

Because time is short, decide in advance what you want to do:

• Pray two rak’ahs calmly, without pushing others.
• Make dua for yourself, your parents, your family and the whole Ummah. Writing a short dua list beforehand helps.
• Send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.
• Leave quietly when asked, so the next group can enter.

Scholars remind us that the best worship is done with presence of heart. A short, sincere prayer is better than a long one done while worrying or fighting for space.

Visiting the Prophet’s grave and giving salaam

After the Rawdah, men usually walk along the front of the blessed grave to give salaam to the Prophet ﷺ, then to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them). Keep your voice low and keep moving. Visiting and giving salaam does not usually need a separate permit, but routes and timings are managed by staff, so follow their directions.

Tips for women

• Women’s Rawdah slots are often at set times of the day; book early.
• Use the women’s gates shown in your permit.
• If you are travelling with small children, ask the staff about rules; it may be better to leave them with a family member.
• Keep a small bag only, as large bags may not be allowed.

Tips for elderly pilgrims and wheelchair users

Masjid an-Nabawi has services for elderly and disabled visitors, including wheelchairs at some gates. Ask staff about the easiest route into the Rawdah area. Book a time when the weather is cooler and crowds are smaller, such as late night. A private car can drop you close to the nearest gate of your hotel area.

A simple dua list for the Rawdah

Many pilgrims freeze when they finally reach the green carpet and forget what they wanted to ask. Prepare a short list in your own language before your slot. You can ask for anything good in this world and the next. Here are some ideas:

• Forgiveness for yourself, your parents and your family.
• Acceptance of your Umrah, prayers and fasting.
• Guidance and goodness for your children.
• Halal provision, good health and protection from debt.
• Mercy for those who have passed away.
• Ease for the sick, the poor and Muslims suffering anywhere.
• Firmness on Islam until your last breath.

Say the duas with presence of heart. If you lose your list, simply speak to Allah from your heart. Many scholars remind us that sincere, humble dua is what matters most, not long words.

After your visit

When you leave the Rawdah, take a moment in a quieter part of the mosque to thank Allah. Some pilgrims like to give a little charity in Madinah, help another pilgrim or make a promise to improve one habit when they go home. These small actions keep the effect of the visit alive long after your trip ends.

Plan your Madinah stay

Most pilgrims stay 3 to 5 days in Madinah. A good plan is to arrive, rest, book your Rawdah slot, then do a Madinah ziyarat tour on another morning. When you leave, you can travel to Makkah by private taxi, with a stop at the Dhul Hulaifah miqat to put on Ihram.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides and services

• Madinah Airport taxi
• Madinah Ziyarat taxi
• Madinah to Makkah taxi
• Jeddah to Madinah taxi
• All routes and fixed prices

Sources and further reading

• Nusuk – official platform for Umrah, Hajj and Rawdah
• General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
• Sahih al-Bukhari 1196 (sunnah.com)

This guide is general information for pilgrims. Religious rulings can differ between schools of thought, so please ask a qualified scholar about your own situation. Official rules change often; always check the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you travel.

Written by the Zikr Cabs team: we drive pilgrims between Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Taif. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.

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