What is Madinah Ziyarat and is it part of Umrah?
Madinah Ziyarat is visiting the sacred places in Madinah and in the surrounding area, particularly the Masjid Nabawi (Prophet's ﷺ Mosque) and historically important areas. It is not a part of the ritual of Umrah itself—Umrah is to be performed only in Makkah. Madinah Ziyarat is, however, highly recommended and is considered a complementary spiritual journey. The majority of the Bangladeshi Umrah packages will also feature 5-7 nights in Madinah, which is the perfect place for this. The Prophet (saws) said, "Visiting me after my death is like visiting me in my life" (Tabarani, accepted by the scholars).
Respecting the grave, visiting Masjid Nabawi and making the historical Ziyarats are part of every meaningful Umrah journey.
Site 1: Masjid Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque)
The second holiest mosque in Islam after Masjid al-Haram, is Masjid Nabawi. It is where the grave of the Prophet (S) and his two companions, Abu Bakr and Umar (RA) are buried.
Key features:
- Rawdah: The space between the Prophet's(s) pulpit and his grave is referred to as Rawdah, a garden of Paradise (Bukhari). It is very good to pray here.
- Prophet's grave: Can be found behind the Rawdah, signified by the well known green dome.
- Riyadh al-Jannah: Literally the place of prayer, pilgrims try to pray 2 rakah here.
How to visit:
Go through the Bab as-Salam entrance. Pray 2 rakah in Tahiyyatul Masjid. Then go to the grave of the Prophet's (s) from the right side and stand in front of it. The catafalques are covered in golden grilles
Salutation at the Prophet's grave:
Recite: As-salamu alayka ya Rasulallah, as-salamu alayka ya Nabi Allah, as-salamu alayka ya Khira khalqillah, as-salamu alayka ya Habiba Allah (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, O Prophet of Allah, O best of Allah's creation, O beloved of Allah).
Go just a little further to the right and speak to Abu Bakr (RA) first, then Umar (RA).
Etiquette at the grave:
- Don't raise your voice
- Don't touch or kiss the grilles
- Avoid making du'a TO the Prophet ﷺ — only to Allah is du'a made. Pray to Allah while standing there.
- Please do not take photos in the grave area (not always allowed by guard).
- Greet and then move on, do not block flow for others
Site 2: Quba Mosque
Quba is the first mosque constructed in Islam that the Prophet ﷺ built when he came to Madinah from Makkah.
Significance: The Prophet said, "Whoever leaves his home in a pure state to pray at Quba Mosque, his reward is like that of Umrah" (Ibn Majah)
How to visit: Pilgrims perform Ghusl (wudu) at the hotel, go to Quba on Saturday morning (most good day), pray 2 rakah of Tahiyyatul Masjid and recite duas at the Mihrab.
Distance: 5 km to the south of Masjid Nabawi. For trips, bus, taxi or uber services will be available. Quba is a popular stop on the Ziyarat tour by the BD agencies.
Site 3: Mount Uhud and the martyrs' graves
The Battle of Uhud (3rd year of Hijrah) was fought on Uhud, 70 Sahaba including Hamza (RA) the uncle of the Prophet (S) were martyred there.
Significance: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it" (Bukhari, Muslim).
Sites at Uhud:
- The graves of Hamza (RA) and other martyrs
- The Archers' Hill (Jabal ar-Rumat) — strategic position where the battle turned.
- Mount Uhud itself
How to visit: 5 km north of Masjid Nabawi. Greet the martyrs with: "As-salamu alaykum dara qawmim mu'minin..." Do not climb Mount Uhud — Saudi authorities discouraged.
Site 4: Masjid al-Qiblatain (Two Qiblas Mosque)
The historical mosque at Masjid al-Qiblatain was the place where the Qibla direction was changed from Jerusalem (Bayt al-Maqdis) to Makkah during the prayer.
Significance: Allah revealed the verse telling the Prophet ﷺ to face toward the Kaaba when he led the prayer here. The mosque originally had two mihrabs, facing towards Jerusalem and Makkah.
How to visit: It is 4 km west of Masjid Nabawi. Pray 2 rakah Tahiyyatul Masjid. The historical position of the building is preserved, as it has been renovated in modern style and the second mihrab has been removed.
Site 5: Jannat al-Baqi cemetery
The main cemetery of Madinah is the Jannat al-Baqi which is adjacent to Masjid Nabawi.
Who is buried here:
- Many Sahaba, such as Uthman ibn Affan (RA)
- Family of the Prophet ﷺ — including his wives (except Khadijah RA, buried in Makkah) and son Ibrahim
- Imam Hassan (RA), grandson of the Prophet ﷺ
Etiquette for visiting:
- Walk in with the right foot first
- Recite the dua for visiting graves: "As-salamu 'alaykum dara qawmim mu'minin wa inna inshaa'Allahu bikum lahiqun"
- Make the du'a for the deceased – pray to God for forgiveness
- Avoid sitting on graves, walking on graves, and reciting the Quran loudly
Women are not allowed to access the cemetery, but are welcome to come to pay respects to the burial site at the gate.
Site 6: Other significant Ziyarats
Masjid al-Ghamamah: The one where the Prophet ﷺ prayed for rain (Salat al-Istisqa). Just opposite Masjid Nabawi (300m west).
Masjid Abu Bakr (RA): Masjid located beside Masjid al-Ghamamah where Abu Bakr (RA) used to pray during the rainy season.
Masjid Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA): It was constructed where Ali (RA) used to pray regularly. Close to Masjid al-Ghamamah.
The Seven Mosques (Sab'a Masajid): A group of mosques related to the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq).
How to organize your Madinah Ziyarat
Option A — BD agency Ziyarat tour (recommended). Most agencies have a half-day tour which involves visiting Quba, Uhud, Qiblatain, Baqi and the Seven mosques. Cost: included or BDT 1,500-3,000 per pilgrim.
Option B — Independent visits. Ride sharing or taxi services. Flexible but you must make your own arrangements for the transport.
Option C — Walking visits to nearby sites. These are all within walking distance of Masjid Nabawi, Baqi cemetery and Masjid al-Ghamamah.
Sample Madinah Ziyarat itinerary
During a typical 5 night stay in Madinah for Umrah:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | They arrived and performed Tahiyyatul Masjid at Nabawi and salutation at the grave of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. |
| Day 2 | Fajr at Rawdah Mosque at Quba (Saturday morning preferred) |
| Day 3 | Uhud Ziyarat, Qiblatain Mosque, Seven Mosques |
| Day 4 | Baqi cemetery (after Fajr), Masjid Ghamamah cluster |
| Day 5 | Final prayers at Masjid Nabawi, departure |
This rhythm enables to perform deep ibadah at Masjid Nabawi while covering all the important Ziyarat places.
Common etiquette mistakes
- Seeking assistance from the Prophet ﷺ. Allah is the one to whom du'a is made. Never ask the Prophet (saws) for anything, but ask Allah and seek his intercession through love, the Sunnah and sending salawat.
- Selfies taken at the grave. This is not allowed by many guards. Where it is permitted, it's rude.
- Recitation in Rawdah at a high volume. Speak quietly. The Holy Quran teaches us to say: "O you who believe, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet" (Hujurat: 2).
- Skipping Quba. There is a significant number of BD pilgrims who skip Quba due to the fact that they need to exert effort. Never — it is the sole Ziyarat with clear Hadiths about its reward equivalent to Umrah.
- Not using the proper etiquette when visiting Baqi. Please do not speak loud, do not take photos of graves, do not sit on graves.
