This excerpt is taken from the book Masnoon Hajj o Umrah published by Maktabah Darussalam Research Center.
Madina Munawwara:
It is the second holiest city for Muslims. Its inhabitants embraced the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, in extremely difficult and harsh conditions. Thus, it became the ،،دَارُ الهِجْرَة, the capital of the first Islamic state and the center and focus of the Mujahideen of Islam.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Madina, Hadith: 1871
People used to call it Yathrib, and the Prophet ﷺ named it Taubah.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Madina, Hadith: 1872
It was declared a sacred sanctuary like the sacred sanctuary of Makkah.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Madina, Hadith: 1867
It is the furnace that, before the Day of Judgment, separates the pure from the impure.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Madina, Hadith: 1883, 1871
This beautiful city will remain safe until the Day of Judgment. Whoever plots deceit and treachery against it will be destroyed and ruined.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Madina, Hadith: 1877
The actions of its inhabitants remained a source of Islamic jurisprudence for a long time. It gave the history of Islam the gift of the Seven Jurists. Here, those who promote innovations are cursed by Allah, the angels, and all people.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Medina, Hadith: 1867
Dying here is pure felicity. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to pray to be martyred in Medina Munawwarah, a prayer which Allah honored by acceptance.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Medina, Hadith: 1890
When the Prophet ﷺ returned from a journey, upon seeing Medina Munawwarah, he would hasten his mount out of extreme joy.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Medina, Hadith: 1886
When darkness and trials prevail everywhere, faith will gather in Medina.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Medina, Hadith: 1876
Yes, this is the very Medina Munawwarah for which the Leader of the Prophets ﷺ made a special supplication to Allah for blessings: [اللهم اجعل بالمدينة ضعفي ما جعلت بمكة من البركة]
O Allah! Grant Medina twice the blessings You have bestowed upon Makkah.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Medina, Hadith: 1885
The plague will never spread in Medina Munawwarah:
The Prophet ﷺ said: Angels are appointed on the roads of Madinah. Neither plague can spread in Madinah nor can the Dajjal enter it.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtues of Madinah, Hadith: 1880
Visiting the Prophet's Mosque:
The Prophet's Mosque is one of the three places whose visitation for the sake of reward and blessings is established by authentic hadiths; however, this visitation is not part of the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. If a person returns without visiting the Prophet's Mosque, their Hajj and Umrah are still complete, but they should not be deprived of this great reward and blessing.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtue of Prayer in the Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, Hadith: 1189
The virtue of prayer in the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ:
According to authentic hadiths, except for the Sacred Mosque, one prayer in the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ is superior to a thousand prayers in other mosques.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtue of Prayer in the Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, Hadith: 1190
رَوْضَةٌ مِّن رِّيَاضِ الْجَنَّة:
The area in the Prophet's Mosque from the Minbar of the Messenger ﷺ to his blessed chamber has been described by the Prophet ﷺ as روضة من رياض الجنة [one of the gardens of Paradise].
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtue of Prayer in the Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, Hadith: 1195
Note:
Nowadays, a light green carpet is spread in this specific place, and the color of the pillars is also somewhat different from the other pillars.
The Virtue of Offering Forty Prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi:
There is no authentic hadith regarding the virtue of offering forty prayers in Masjid an-Nabawi, therefore it is not necessary to complete forty prayers there.
Visiting Masjid an-Nabawi and Sending Salutations and Peace:
Dear visitors! Undoubtedly, Madinah Munawwarah, Masjid an-Nabawi, and the Holy Rawdah all relate to our beloved Prophet ﷺ, and after Allah Almighty, you ﷺ have bestowed great favors upon us. Therefore, it is our duty to sincerely follow your teachings and Sunnah. After understanding the matter you have explained, prioritize it above all other things. Recite abundant salutations and peace upon you with the words you yourself taught, so that our prayers are accepted, hardships removed, sins forgiven, and ranks elevated. In light of this great purpose, the following is a statement of the prescribed salutations and peace, virtues and issues, and the etiquettes of visiting the Rawdah of the Prophet ﷺ based on authentic hadiths:
The Virtue of Reciting Durood Shareef:
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
[من صلى علي صلاة واحدة صلى الله عليه عشر صلوات وحطت عنه عشر خطيئات ورفعت له عشر درجات]
Whoever sends Durood upon me once, Allah Almighty will send down ten mercies upon him, forgive ten sins, and raise him ten degrees.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, As-Sahw, Hadith: 1298
The Virtue of Remembrance of Allah and Durood Shareef in Gatherings:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: In a gathering where people do not remember Allah and do not send Durood upon the Prophet ﷺ, that gathering will be a cause of regret for them on the Day of Resurrection, even if they enter Paradise due to their righteous deeds and rewards.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 9965, Sahih al-Albani, Hadith: 76
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: In any gathering where the remembrance of Allah Almighty is not made, that gathering will be a cause of regret and remorse for them on the Day of Resurrection. And whoever walks on a path without the remembrance of Allah, then this walking will also be a cause of regret for him on the Day of Resurrection. And whoever lies down on a bed without the remembrance of Allah, then this lying down will also be a cause of shame and remorse for him on the Day of Resurrection.
Reference: Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Nasa'i, Hadith: 10166], [Al-Sahihah by Al-Albani, Hadith: 79
Frequent Recitation of Durood Sharif:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: As long as a Muslim continues to send blessings upon me, the angels continue to pray for mercy for him, whether he recites little or much.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Prayer, Hadith: 907], [Fadl al-Salah 'ala al-Nabi by Qadi Isma'il ibn Ishaq al-Jahdhami, p. 27
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Indeed, some special angels of Allah roam the earth and convey the greetings sent by my Ummah to me.
Reference: Sunan al-Nasa'i, Al-Sahu, Hadith: 1283], [Fadl al-Salah 'ala al-Nabi, p. 36
Emphasis on Reciting Durood Sharif on Friday and the Night of Friday:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [أكثروا الصلاة علي يوم الجمعة وليلة الجمعة فمن صلى علي صلاة صلى الله عليه عشرا]
On Friday and Friday night, frequently send blessings upon me. Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send down ten mercies upon him.
Reference: Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 5994], [Al-Sahihah by Al-Albani, Hadith: 3004, 1407
Who is stingy?
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: A stingy person is one in whose presence my mention is made and he does not send blessings upon me.
Reference: Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Supplications, Hadith: 3546
Severe warning for not sending blessings upon the Prophet at the time of his mention:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The person who is humiliated and disgraced is the one in whose presence my name is mentioned and he does not send blessings upon me; the person who is humiliated and disgraced is the one who experiences the entire month of Ramadan but does not have his sins forgiven; and the person who is humiliated and disgraced is the one whose parents reach old age during his lifetime and he does not serve them and enter Paradise.
Reference: Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Supplications, Hadith: 3545
Blessings and Salutations
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ [صحيح البخاري، أحاديث الأنبياء ، حديث: 3370]
◈ Sayyiduna Ka'b bin 'Ujrah رضي الله عنه says: We asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, "O Messenger of Allah! Allah has taught us to send greetings upon you, but how should we send blessings (Durood) upon you?" Then He ﷺ taught them the Ibrahimic Durood.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith: 3370
In the mentioned hadith, the greeting (Salam) refers to the following greeting:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّلِحِينَ
O Prophet of Allah! Peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah as well.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Hadith: 831
In the light of this hadith, these very words of "Salam" can also be said at your ﷺ blessed grave.
Brief and Sunnah Durood and Salam:
The Divine command is: یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا صَلُّوۡا عَلَیۡہِ وَ سَلِّمُوۡا تَسۡلِیۡمًا
O you who have believed! Send blessings upon him and greet him with a worthy greeting abundantly.
Reference: Al-Ahzab: 56
According to this command, it is also permissible to send Durood and Salam upon the Noble Prophet ﷺ with the words صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. The evidence for this is the Sahih Bukhari hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ himself sent Durood and Salam upon Sayyiduna Musa عليه السلام with these very words. The words of the hadith are as follows: [On the Prophet ﷺ said: قام موسى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم خطيبا في بني إسرائيل]
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Ilm, Hadith: 122
From the aforementioned hadith, it is also understood that it is permissible to send salutations and peace using the words صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ for other Prophets, peace be upon them, besides the Holy Prophet ﷺ. Moreover, from the time of the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, the great Followers, and the jurists and hadith scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, until today, this brief salutation and peace has been continuously and consistently practiced.
Salutations for Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq and Sayyiduna Umar Farooq رضي الله عنهما: Two venerable Companions, the Caliph of the Messenger Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq and the Commander of the Faithful Umar Farooq رضي الله عنهما, rest in the blessed chamber of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. At this occasion, sending salutations upon them is the right of Muslims, for example, it can be said: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْر، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عُمَر
Sending salutations with these words is also proven from the practice of Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما.
Reference: Fadl al-Salat 'ala al-Nabi by the Muhaddith Imam Ismail bin Ishaq al-Jahdami, p. 84
Journey for the visitation of the Prophet’s ﷺ Chamber:
Visiting the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ upon reaching Madinah Munawwarah is certainly a recommended act, but it is not correct to make the sole purpose of the journey to Madinah Tayyibah just the visitation of the Holy Grave, ignoring the Prophet's Mosque. This is because the Prophet ﷺ permitted Muslims to travel with the intention of goodness only to three mosques [Masjid al-Haram, Masjid an-Nabawi, and Masjid al-Aqsa].
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, The Virtue of Prayer in the Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, Hadith: 1189
Therefore, the visitor should make the visitation of Masjid an-Nabawi the primary purpose when going to Madinah Munawwarah and then also desire to visit the Holy Grave of the Prophet ﷺ so that the mentioned hadith can be properly acted upon.
At the time of visiting the Holy Grave of the Prophet ﷺ, pass by the blessed grave very quietly and with utmost respect, reciting the prescribed salutations and blessings to fulfill the right of love for the Prophet ﷺ.
Visitation of Masjid Quba:
The Holy Prophet ﷺ used to visit Masjid Quba sometimes on foot and sometimes riding.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, The Virtue of Prayer in the Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, Hadith: 1193
The virtue of praying in Masjid Quba:
The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever comes to the Quba Mosque [from home] and prays there, it is as if he has performed Umrah.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Al-Masajid, Hadith: 700
Visiting Graves:
Near the Prophet's Mosque is Baqi' al-Gharqad, also known as Jannat al-Baqi', which is a cemetery where hundreds of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, Imams of Hadith, and righteous predecessors of the Ummah are buried. Similarly, at the foot of Mount Uhud, seventy martyrs of Uhud are buried. One should pray for forgiveness for all of them. When the Prophet ﷺ visited Baqi' al-Gharqad, he would recite this supplication:
يَرْحَمُ اللهُ الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنَّا وَ الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لأَهْلِ بَقِيعِ الْغَرْقَدِ
May Allah have mercy on those who have gone before us and those who come after us. O Allah! Forgive the people of Baqi' al-Gharqad.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Al-Jana'iz, Hadith: 974
To remember the Hereafter, one should visit graves and recite this supplication during the visit: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَلَاحِقُونَ [يَرْحَمُ اللهُ الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنَّا وَ الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ]نَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ
O inhabitants of these abodes, believers and Muslims! Peace be upon you. Surely, we, God willing, are soon to join you. May Allah have mercy on our predecessors and those who come after us. We ask Allah for well-being for ourselves and for you.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Al-Jana'iz, Hadith: 975
These are the three places in Madinah Munawwarah whose visitation is Sunnah. As for the remaining Masajid Sab'ah, Masjid Qiblatain, and some other places, their visitation has no relation to reward, but they can be visited for the sake of Islamic history.
Returning from Hajj:
When the Prophet ﷺ returned to Madinah Munawwarah from war, Hajj, or Umrah, during the journey, he would climb a high place (hill or mountain, etc.) and say "Allahu Akbar" three times, then recite this supplication: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ، آيِبُونَ ، تَائِبُونَ ، عَابِدُونَ ، سَاجِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُونَ ، صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ ، وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
There is no true deity except Allah. He is alone. He has no partner. To Him belongs the sovereignty and all praise, and He is fully capable of everything. We are the ones returning, performing Tawaf, worshipping, touring, prostrating, and praising our Lord. Allah has fulfilled His promise, helped His servant, and He alone defeated the opposing armies.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hajj, Hadith: 1344
Arranging food upon return:
The blessed practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was that when he returned from a journey, he would slaughter a camel or a cow as a thanksgiving and celebration.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Jihad, Hadith: 3089
Therefore, pilgrims and Umrah performers should make it a habit to hold a feast upon their return rather than at the beginning of this sacred journey. This is the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ Pilgrims should carefully study all the instructions issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, sincerely follow them, always maintain the dignity of the country, and observe Islamic rituals.
◈ Thoroughly study this book written on the subject of Hajj, and periodically seek guidance from knowledgeable and authentic scholars. Official Dar al-Ifta offices have also been established throughout Makkah, where scholars of almost every language are present, and benefit can be taken from them as well.
◈ Before embarking on the journey of Hajj and Umrah, repent from past sins and pledge to live a life according to the Sunnah in the future.
◈ Carry only the most essential and minimal luggage with you and keep your travel documents and their copies safely.
◈ Elderly persons or small children should be given their personal card in addition to the company’s card, which includes one or two of your personal phone numbers and address, because not everyone can understand the cards provided by the companies.
◈ After reaching Makkah Mukarramah, keep all your belongings safely at your accommodation.
◈ During Tawaf, Sa’i, and collective rituals, do not carry excess cash or valuables with you.
◈ While going to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, carry only the necessary items.
◈ Use an umbrella in the sun in Makkah, Mina, and Arafat, drink plenty of water, and exercise extreme caution in eating and drinking unnecessarily.
◈ In general and special prayers, also pray for your dear relatives, friends, all Muslims, scholars, Mujahideen, and the safety of your beloved homeland.
◈We also sincerely pray for all the honorable pilgrims that the Merciful Lord keeps everyone under His protection and safety, takes them safely, brings them back in well-being, and grants acceptance to the worship of all Muslims.
