Nasai

The House of Allah (Baytullah) is the most ancient mosque, which was constructed by the command of Allah Ta’ala and has remained the center for all the Prophets (alayhimussalam). Only its Hajj and ‘Umrah are legislated; therefore, it is superior even to the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi). It is also the qiblah (direction of prayer), and this is a tremendous virtue. The virtue of Masjid Nabawi likewise needs no explanation. In Madinah, this is the first mosque of Islam, which was also the first religious seminary of Islam and the political and military center for the Muslims. Just as it is permissible and recommended to travel for the sake of the Ka‘bah, so too is it permissible and recommended to travel for Masjid Nabawi. And in the course of visiting and traveling to Masjid Nabawi, one also attains the honor of visiting the Prophet’s Rawdah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), which is the heartfelt desire of every Muslim.