Rawdah Opening Times for Men and Women
During their visit to Masjid-e-Nabawi, Muslims are keen to visit Rawdah, The Sacred Chamber that is located between the house of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Aisha (RA) and the Minbar of the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT.
Rawdah is the burial place of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is 15 metres in width and 22 metres in length. It is a great honour for Muslims to perform Nafl prayer in Rawdah.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about visit Rawdah Mubarak (Sacred Chamber) for men and women.
What Is Rawdah?
Once known as the house (hujra) of Aisha (RA), Rawdah Mubarak is the sacred area between the eastern boundary of the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the western boundary of Minbar Nabawi (his pulpit).
It is a relatively small area in the southeastern section of Masjid-e-Nabawi. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with two beloved companions, Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), is buried inside the Rawdah.
Distinguished from the rest of the mosque of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Rawdah has white marble columns with gold of about 2 metres and six doors where each one features green copper, iron and gold railings.
“The viewing holes in the Rawdah chamber are aligned to the faces of the inhabitants of the graves with the largest hole on the left directly faces the noble face of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)”
Rawdah Mubarak is also known as Riyad Al-Jannah (Garden of Paradise). Rawdah Mubarak holds great significance in Islam. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “The area between my house and my pulpit is one of the gardens of Paradise.” [Sahih Bukhari]
Regarding performing ziyarat of his grave, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever visits me after my death is like he who had visited me during my life.” [Tabraani]
Do You Need a Permit to Visit Rawdah?
Yes, The Ministry of Hajj has emphasised that you must have a permit to perform Umrah and visit Rawdah Sharif. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make an appointment for Rawdah:
- Step 01: Download the Nusuk/Eatmarna application.
- Step 02: Select a language and status as citizen or visitor.
- Step 03: Enter your details. Iqama number if you are a citizen. However, if you are a visitor of Saudi Arabia, you must provide your visa number, passport number, date of birth, country, nationality, mobile number, code, and email address.
- Step 04: Click on permits and select one of the two options “Praying in the Nobel Rawdah – Women” or “Praying in the Nobel Rawdah – Men.”
- Step 05: Select a time, date, and praying slot.
Once your application is approved, you can pray in Rawdah Riaz ul Jannah.
Rawdah Opening Times for Men
According to the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, men who wish to pray in Rawdah Mubarak will be permitted to perform prayer in two shifts: from midnight to the Fajr prayer and from the Duhr prayer to the Isha prayer.
Rawdah Visiting Hours Except Fridays for Men
The time slots allocated to men to pray in the Sacred Chamber on all days except Friday are given below:
- Morning: 1:00 am to Fajr prayer
- Evening: Dhuhr prayer to Isha Prayer
Rawdah Visiting Hours on Fridays for Men
The Rawdah visiting hours for men on Fridays are the same as the weekdays:
- Morning: 1 am to Fajr prayer
- Evening: Asr prayer to Isha prayer
Can You Pray Twice in Riaz ul Jannah?
No, a person is only allowed to visit and pray in Riaz ul Jannah once within 30 days. So, if you have prayed in Riaz ul Jannah today, you will have to wait for approximately 30 days to perform prayer again.
Rawdah Opening Times for Women
Female Umrah pilgrims and visitors of Madinah come with the wish to pray in Rawdah Mubarak and offer their Salam to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Two separate times are allocated for women to pray in Rawdah Sharif to ensure no clash between men and women. The first prayer slot for women is from the Fajr prayer to the Duhr prayer, and the second slot is from Isha till midnight.
Rawdah Visiting Hours Except Fridays for Women
The ziyarat time of Rawdah in Masjid-e-Nabawi for women on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday are given below:
- Morning: 6:00 am to 11:00 am
- Evening: 9:30 pm to 12:00 am
Note that the slot timings might vary slightly depending on the prayer time.
Rawdah Visiting Hours on Fridays for Women
On Friday, women are allowed to pray in Rawdah between:
- Morning: 6:00 am to 9:00 am
- Evening: 9:30 pm to 12:00 am
The best time for ladies to pray in Rawdah is from Isha prayer to 10:00 pm and Ishraq prayer to 8:00 am. Women can enter Masjid-e-Nabawi from gates 21 to 25. However, gate 25 is the closest.
What to Do When Visiting Rawdah?
Once you step inside the Rawdah, take a few moments to look around, absorb the surroundings, and thank Allah SWT for blessing you with the chance to visit and pray in The Sacred Chamber.
It is recommended to pray 2 Rakahs Nafl behind any one of the sacred pillars, ideally behind Ustuwaanah Aisha (Pillar of Aisha). You must use this opportunity to ask Allah SWT for forgiveness near Ustuwanah al-Tawbah (Pillar of Repentance) and send Salawat upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Make sure that you pray in your designated spot and without causing any inconvenience to those around you.
“The Rawdah is part of the Prophet’s (PBUH) mosque, and the prayer in it equals in reward of 1,000 prayers. However, there is no doubt that the Rawdah is of more excellence because the Prophet distinguished it and did not distinguish any other parts of the mosque for being a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” (Sahih Bukhari)
“When the Prophet (ﷺ) passed away, the companions offered funeral prayers individually, without an Imam. The people said: “Bury him near the pulpit.” Others said, “Bury him in Baqi”. Then Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) came and said, “I heard the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) saying: ‘A Prophet was never buried except at the place where he died’.””
Tahiyyatul Masjid
Tahiyyatul Masjid is the prayer of greeting the mosque. It is recommended to perform two Rakahs of Tahiyyatul Masjid after entering Rawdah Mubarak. While you can recite any Surah, it is preferred to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first Rakah and Surah Ikhlas in the second one.
Use this opportunity to glorify and praise Allah SWT for bestowing you with the chance to visit the Mosque of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
You can also pray gratitude (2 Rakah Nafl of Salat al-Shukr) to thank the All-Mighty for giving you the strength to complete Umrah or Hajj and be in such proximity to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Sending Your Salams to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
After you have finished your prayer, walk south toward the grave of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to give him your Salam. Stand a few steps away from the enclosure of the Sacred Chamber, and make sure that your back is towards the Qibla.
Now, turn slightly to the left so that you are standing exactly in front of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) face and recite Salam in a respectful, humble, and loving voice:
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ
Transliteration: As-salāmu ‘alayka yā rasūlAllāh.
Translation: Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah.
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Transliteration: As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuha n-nabiyyu wa raḥmatu llāhi wa barakātuhu.
Translation: Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
اَلصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَيِّدِيْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ
اَلصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَيِّدِيْ يَا حَبِيْبَ اللهِ
اَلصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَيِّدِيْ يَا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِيْنَ
وَعَلَى آَلِكَ وَأَصْحَابِكَ يَا سَيِّدِيْ يَا نُوْرَ اللهِ
Transliteration: Aṣ-ṣalātu wa s-salāmu ‘alayka yā sayyidī yā rasūla llāh.
Aṣ-ṣalātu wa s-salāmu ‘alayka yā sayyidī yā ḥabība llāh.
Aṣ-ṣalātu wa s-salāmu ‘alayka yā sayyidī yā raḥmatan li-l ‘ālamīn.
Wa ‘alā ’ālika wa aṣḥābika yā sayyidī yā noora llāh.
Translation: Peace and blessings be upon you, O my master, O Messenger of Allah.
Peace and blessings be upon you, O my master, O beloved of Allah.
Peace and blessings be upon you, O my master, O mercy to the Universe.
And upon your family and companions, O my master, the light of Allah.
How Many Times Can You Book Rawdah?
You must follow the Rawdah opening times as stated by The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The timings allocated to the men are from 11 am until the Isha prayer and 12:30 am to Fajr Prayer. On the other hand, the timings designated to women for praying in the Rawdah Al-Sharif are from Isha prayer to 12 am and from Fajr prayer to 11 am.
Click here to schedule an appointment to pray inside Rawdah.
Note: Remember that both men and women can only pray in Rawdah once in a period of 30 days.
Can Children Pray in the Rawdah?
Only children of age five years and above are allowed to perform Umrah and pray inside Rawdah Sharif. According to Hisam Bin Abdel Moneim Saeed, the Assistant Undersecretary of The Hajj Ministry, there is no age restriction for children to pray in the two mosques, Masjid-e-Nabawi Madinah and Masjid Al Haram in Makkah.
However, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult and be well-behaved and respectful during their visit.
Can Non-Muslims Enter Medinah City?
Yes, unlike Makkah, non-Muslims are allowed to visit Madinah, the city of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While initially non-Muslims were banned from even going anywhere near the Prophet Mosque.
In 2021, the rule was relaxed, permitting non-Muslims to stand at the perimeter fence of Masjid-e-Nabawi and take pictures if they want to. However, they are still not allowed to enter the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque. Thus, they should stay outside the premises of Masjid-e-Nabawi.
Summary – Rawdah Opening Times for Men and Women
Rawdah Al-Sharif is a sacred sanctuary between the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Aisha (RA), and his Minbar. To ensure that men and women get an equal chance to pray inside Rawdah Sharif, the Ministry of Masjid-e-Nabawi has assigned different time slots.
Men are permitted to enter Rawdah for prayers in two shifts, from 11:00 am to 9:30 am and from 12:30 am to 6:00 am. Rawdah opening times for women are from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 9:30 pm to 12:30 am.
If you are planning to visit Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj or Umrah), make sure to book a Rawdah prayer slot beforehand. Use this auspicious opportunity to give Salam to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and ask for forgiveness.
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