FAQ PAGE ยท RAWDAH MADINA ยท RIYAZUL JANNAH ยท ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Rawdah Madina

โ€” Complete FAQ

Every question pilgrims ask about visiting Riyazul Jannah โ€” answered fully and honestly. Booking, timings, rules, spiritual guidance, troubleshooting and more.

All answers based on current official Saudi guidelines

Categories covered in this FAQ

  • Category 1 โ€” Booking & Permit (Nusuk and Tawakalna)
  • Category 2 โ€” Slots not available & troubleshooting
  • Category 3 โ€” Timings, gates and arrival
  • Category 4 โ€” Rules, dress code and what to bring
  • Category 5 โ€” Inside the Rawdah โ€” what to do
  • Category 6 โ€” Spiritual questions โ€” duas, prayer, direction
  • Category 7 โ€” Special circumstances โ€” women, elderly, children, Ramadan
  • Category 8 โ€” What is the Rawdah โ€” understanding & history

Read the full guides for each topic

๐Ÿ“‹ย  Category 1 โ€” Booking & Permit

Your visit to the Rawdah does not end when you step off the green carpet. Here is how to carry the experience forward:

Yes โ€” a permit is mandatory for all visitors. Entry to the Rawdah is strictly controlled through a barcode system. Guards scan your QR code at the gate and without it you will not be allowed inside. The permit is free and booked through the Nusuk app (for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims) or the Tawakalna app (for Saudi residents, GCC nationals, and other visa holders).

๐Ÿ“Ž Full guide: Rawdah Permit Complete Booking Guideย  โ†’ย rawdahmadinah.com/rawdah-permit-guide/

Step-by-step Nusuk and Tawakalna booking with screenshots and troubleshooting

Use Nusuk if you entered Saudi Arabia on a Hajj or Umrah visa. Use Tawakalna if you are a Saudi resident, GCC national, or visiting on a tourist, family, or business visa. Both apps access the same permit system and give you identical access to the Rawdah. The slot you receive is the same regardless of which app you use.

Yes โ€” completely free. There is no fee to book or enter the Rawdah. Both the Nusuk and Tawakalna apps are free to download and use. The permit system was introduced solely to manage crowds and ensure every pilgrim has a dignified visit โ€” not for revenue. Anyone charging you for a Rawdah permit is not operating through official channels.

  • Download Nusuk from Google Play Store or Apple App Store โ€” it is free
  • Create an account using your passport number and the mobile number on your visa
  • Tap Services โ†’ find ‘Praying in the Noble Rawdah’
  • Select an available date (shown in green) and choose your time slot
  • Confirm booking โ†’ save the QR code to your phone camera roll
  • Show QR code at your designated gate โ€” arrive 30 minutes before slot time
  • Download Tawakalna from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
  • Sign in using your Absher account, Iqama number, or national ID
  • Tap Services โ†’ select ‘Masjid al-Nabawi’ or ‘Rawdah Permit’
  • Select your date and time slot โ†’ Confirm โ†’ save your QR code
  • Show QR code at the entry gate

Once per year โ€” this was the old 2025 rule. The Saudi authorities updated the policy in 2026 โ€” each person can obtain multiple Rawdah permit per year, not once per year as was previously the case. If you miss your appointment without cancelling in advance, you will be able to book through Nusuk. If you cancel in advance through the app, you may be able to rebook.

No โ€” each permit is tied to an individual’s passport or national ID number. Every family member who wishes to visit the Rawdah must have their own permit booked under their own ID. Children above the age of eligibility require their own permit. Young children below the entry age may enter with a parent holding a valid permit.

No โ€” permits are non-transferable. The permit is linked to your specific ID or passport number and will be verified at the gate. If you cannot attend, cancel your appointment through the app so another pilgrim can use the slot. Do not attempt to use someone else’s permit โ€” entry will be denied.

๐Ÿ”งย  Category 2 โ€” Slots Not Available & Troubleshooting

The most searched questions โ€” when the system shows nothing

  • Slots are released in batches โ€” typically on Thursday and Friday mornings around Fajr time in Madinah (UTC+3)
  • Slots are only available 1 to 2 weeks in advance โ€” searching further ahead shows nothing
  • You may have already used multiple visits โ€” the system blocks further bookings
  • If you missed a slot without cancelling, you may be blocked
  • During Ramadan and Hajj season, slots fill within minutes of release โ€” set an alarm for Thursday/Friday Fajr time
  • When you are far away from Rawdah sharifah, you don’t see empty slots.
  • Your visa or ID may not be verified in the app yet โ€” complete your profile first

New slots are released every Thursday and Friday, usually around Fajr prayer time in Madinah โ€” approximately 4:30 to 5:30 AM Saudi time (UTC+3) or sometime it’s after Juma prayer (between Juma and Asr Prayer). There is no exact official announcement of the release time, but this pattern is consistent based on pilgrim reports. Set a reminder for Thursday and Friday mornings/ afternoon and check the app immediately after Fajr/Jumma.

  • Greyed out dates mean no slots have been released yet for those dates โ€” check again Thursday/Friday morning/afternoon
  • It may also mean those dates are fully booked โ€” all slots taken
  • You may be within a restriction period due to a previous visit or missed appointment
  • Your account profile may be incomplete โ€” verify your ID/passport details in app settings

Cancel immediately through the app. Go to your booking โ†’ tap Cancel Appointment. Do this as early as possible so another pilgrim can take your slot. If you fail to cancel and simply do not show up, the Saudi guidelines state you will be unable to book for a full year. Cancelling in advance is both the courteous and the practically wise thing to do.

Yes โ€” if Nusuk is showing no available slots, open Tawakalna and check. The two apps can update at slightly different times. If you are eligible for Tawakalna (Saudi resident, GCC national, or non-Umrah visa), you may find slots there that are not yet showing on Nusuk. However, remember that both apps share the same underlying system โ€” if slots are genuinely not released yet, neither app will show them.

  • Increase your phone screen brightness to maximum before showing the QR code
  • Use the screenshot saved to your camera roll rather than the app directly โ€” this is more reliable
  • Close and reopen the app if the QR code appears frozen or loading slowly
  • Show your booking confirmation email as backup proof
  • Ask the guard to call a supervisor โ€” they are experienced with technical issues and will help

๐Ÿ•ย  Category 3 โ€” Timings, Gates & Arrival

When to come, which gate, how early to arrive

  • Saturday to Thursday: After Fajr prayer until 9:00 AM
  • Saturday to Thursday: After Isha prayer until 2:00 AM
  • Friday: 2:00 AM until Fajr prayer
  • Friday: After Jumu’ah prayer until evening
  • Entry gates: Gate 37 (King Fahd Gate area) or Gate 1 (King Abdul Aziz Gate)
  • Best time for least crowds: Post-Fajr on a weekday (Sunday to Wednesday)
  • Saturday to Thursday: 2:00 AM until Fajr prayer
  • Saturday to Thursday: 9:20 AM until 11:20 AM
  • Friday: After Fajr prayer until 9:00 AM
  • Entry gates: Gate 25 or Gate 37 during women-only times
  • Best time for least crowds: The early morning slot (2 AM to Fajr) on a weekday

๐Ÿ“Ž Full guide: Pilgrim’s Visiting Guideย  โ†’ย  rawdahmadinah.com/how-to-visit-rawdah-madina/

Full gate-by-gate arrival guide, what to do at the gate, and the minute-by-minute visit sequence

Arrive at the mosque 30 minutes before your slot time, and at your designated gate 15 minutes before. These are the current official Saudi guidelines. If you arrive late, your slot may be forfeited. During peak seasons (Ramadan, Hajj) queues form early โ€” add an extra 10 minutes as buffer. Your permit specifies both your gate number and your entry time โ€” check both the night before.

  • Your permit specifies your exact entry gate โ€” always check your permit first
  • Men typically: Gate 37 (King Fahd Gate area) or Gate 1 (King Abdul Aziz Gate)
  • Women typically: Gate 25 or Gate 37 during designated women-only timings
  • Wheelchair users: Inform any security guard at arrival โ€” accessible routes are available from multiple gates
  • Gates are clearly numbered on the mosque exterior โ€” guards at every entrance will redirect you if needed
  • Weekdays outside Ramadan and Hajj season are the calmest โ€” Sunday to Wednesday are best
  • Avoid the last ten nights of Ramadan โ€” extremely high demand, slots gone instantly
  • Avoid the days immediately before and after Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
  • Winter months (November to February) have cooler weather and slightly fewer visitors than summer
  • If visiting during Hajj, book your Rawdah permit the moment your travel is confirmed โ€” do not wait

๐Ÿ“‹ย  Category 4 โ€” Rules, Dress Code & What to Bring

What is required, what is allowed, what is not

Men: thobe, shalwar kameez, or modest trousers with a top. Ihram garments are welcome but not required. Shorts, tight clothing, or anything immodest will result in entry being refused.

Women: full abaya and hijab. Niqab is welcome but not required. Modest long clothing that covers fully is the standard. Arrive already dressed โ€” there are no changing facilities at the gate.

  • Avoid strong perfume โ€” it can disturb others in the closely packed space
  • Comfortable footwear you can remove easily โ€” you will walk on carpet inside

No โ€” photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the Rawdah. Keep your phone in your pocket from the moment you enter. Guards will ask you to stop and may remove you from the Rawdah if you take photos. Beyond the rule, taking photos means spending your 10 precious minutes looking at a screen rather than making dua โ€” something you will regret. Be fully present.

  • Phone with QR code permit โ€” saved as screenshot to camera roll (do not rely on app only)
  • Passport or national ID matching your permit
  • Written dua list โ€” notebook or phone notes prepared the night before
  • Fresh wudhu made before leaving your hotel
  • Modest dress already on โ€” do not plan to change at the mosque
  • Water bottle โ€” queues can be long especially in summer heat
  • Nothing you do not need โ€” keep bags compact and easy to carry

10 minutes โ€” this is the current guideline. The Saudi authorities reduced the time from the previous 15-20 minutes to 10 minutes to accommodate the 13 million+ annual visitors. Prepare your duas very thoroughly before entering. Have your list ready. When the guard signals your time is ending, move calmly โ€” do not resist.

Yes โ€” praying two rakah of nafl prayer inside the Rawdah is one of the most recommended acts. If space allows when you step onto the green carpet, pray two rakah first then make dua. Given the 10-minute limit, you will need to be quick โ€” approximately 2 to 3 minutes for two rakah, leaving 7 minutes for dua. If space is very limited and crowds are being moved through, prioritise dua over prayer.

๐Ÿคฒย  Category 5 โ€” Inside the Rawdah

What to do, what to expect, how to make the most of your 10 minutes

  • Step onto the green carpet โ†’ pause for a moment โ†’ lower your gaze โ†’ acknowledge where you are
  • Begin immediately with salawat (Durood Ibrahim) upon the Prophet ๏ทบ
  • Pray two rakah nafl if space and time allow (2-3 minutes)
  • Open your dua list โ†’ make sincere dua in order: yourself, parents, children, family, health, rizq, akhirah, all Muslims
  • Close with salawat upon the Prophet ๏ทบ
  • Move calmly towards exit when the guard signals โ€” leave with gratitude

๐Ÿ“Ž Full guide: Duas & Spiritual Guide โ€” Complete Arabic duas with transliterationย  โ†’ย  rawdahmadinah.com/duas-to-recite-in-rawdah/

Durood Ibrahim, Sayyidul Istighfar, duas for parents, health, rizq, Jannah โ€” all in Arabic, transliteration and English

Do not suppress it. Tears in dua are among the most beloved acts to Allah. The Prophet ๏ทบ said that one of the seven categories of people who receive Allah’s shade on the Day of Judgement is a person who remembers Allah in private and their eyes overflow with tears. Many companions, scholars and pilgrims across 1,400 years have wept in this space. A weeping heart is a living heart โ€” let your tears become dua.

Not at all. After leaving the Rawdah, find a quiet corner of Masjid Nabawi and continue your duas there. One prayer in Masjid Nabawi equals 1,000 prayers elsewhere. The blessing does not end at the green carpet โ€” the entire mosque is a space of elevated dua and reward. What matters most is the sincerity of your heart, not the physical location of every supplication.

When making dua in general โ€” face the qibla (towards Makkah). When specifically sending salam upon the Prophet ๏ทบ, face the direction of the Noble Chamber (his grave). Inside the Rawdah during your general duas, facing the qibla is the recommended position. After leaving the Rawdah, visit the salaam area near the Noble Chamber to send your greetings to the Prophet ๏ทบ facing his grave directly.

๐Ÿ“–ย  Category 6 โ€” Spiritual Questions

Duas, hadith, meaning and Islamic guidance

Yes โ€” absolutely. Dua can be made in any language. Allah hears and understands every tongue. Arabic duas carry specific recommended forms drawn from Quran and Sunnah, but your personal heartfelt duas in your own language are equally valid and equally heard. Many scholars encourage pilgrims to make their deepest personal duas in whatever language allows them to speak most honestly and emotionally from the heart.

“Ma bayna bayti wa minbari rawdatun min riyaadil jannah, wa minbari ‘ala hawdi.” โ€” What is between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my fountain (Hawd).

โ€” Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1196 โ€” narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA). Also recorded in Sahih Muslim 1391, Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3916 and Sunan Ibn Majah 1413

This is the foundational hadith โ€” the Prophet Muhammad ๏ทบ identified the Rawdah himself during his lifetime. It is authenticated through multiple chains of narration across all major hadith collections. The majority of Islamic scholars hold that this is a literal physical description โ€” the ground will be raised to Jannah on the Day of Resurrection.

Yes โ€” and this is highly encouraged. Making dua for others, especially parents (living or deceased), children, and the wider Muslim ummah, is one of the highest acts you can perform. The Prophet ๏ทบ said that when you make dua for your brother in his absence, the angels say ‘and for you the same.’ Every dua you make for others in the Rawdah returns to you multiplied.

  • Durood Ibrahim โ€” the salawat recited in every salah (begin and end with this)
  • Sayyidul Istighfar โ€” the master supplication for forgiveness (Bukhari 6306)
  • Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan โ€” for good in this world and the next (Quran 2:201)
  • Dua for parents โ€” Rabbighfir li wa li-walidayya (Quran 17:24)
  • Dua for health โ€” Rabbi inni massaniyad-durru (Quran 21:83 โ€” dua of Prophet Ayyub AS)
  • Dua for rizq โ€” Allahummak-fini bi-halalika (Tirmidhi 3563)
  • Dua for Jannah โ€” Allahumma inni as’alukal-jannata (Abu Dawud 792)

๐Ÿ“Ž Full guide: Full duas with Arabic text, transliteration and English translationย  โ†’ย  rawdahmadinah.com/duas-to-recite-in-rawdah/

All duas above in full โ€” with context, meaning and suggested order for your 10 minutes inside

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งย  Category 7 โ€” Special Circumstances

Women, children, elderly, Ramadan, Hajj season

Children below approximately 10 years of age may enter with a parent holding a valid permit. Each adult with a permit may bring one young child. Children above this age require their own permit booked under their own ID or passport. If you are visiting with older children, book permits for each of them separately and ensure their ID is registered in the app.

Yes โ€” Masjid Nabawi has extensive accessibility provisions. Wheelchairs are available at multiple entrance gates. The Rawdah floor is flat with no steps. If you or someone in your group has mobility limitations, inform a security guard at your gate before joining the standard queue โ€” there are accessible routes and priority arrangements available. The Saudi authorities have specifically implemented disability support services at the Rawdah including multilingual assistance and dedicated staff for elderly pilgrims.

  • Timings can shift slightly during Ramadan โ€” always check your permit for the confirmed times
  • Demand is at its absolute highest during Ramadan โ€” especially the last 10 nights
  • Slots release Thursday/Friday Fajr time โ€” during Ramadan they fill within minutes of release
  • Set multiple alarms for Thursday/Friday Fajr time Saudi and check the app immediately
  • The 10-minute visit limit still applies โ€” prepare your duas even more thoroughly
  • The spiritual atmosphere inside is at its most intense during Ramadan โ€” many pilgrims describe it as the most overwhelming experience of their lives
  • Millions of pilgrims are in or near Madinah simultaneously during Hajj โ€” competition for slots is extreme
  • Book your Rawdah permit the moment your Hajj travel is confirmed โ€” do not wait until you arrive
  • Many Hajj packages include group Rawdah access through official channels โ€” ask your tour operator
  • If individual slots are unavailable, enquire at the mosque about any group access arrangements

Yes โ€” women can visit the Rawdah independently during women-only time slots. The permit system and designated women’s gates manage access safely and separately. A mahram is not required to be present inside the Rawdah. If a woman is visiting Madinah with a mahram, they will enter through separate gates and meet outside afterwards โ€” arrange a clear meeting point before separating at the mosque entrance.

A woman who is menstruating may enter Masjid Nabawi and make dua in the Rawdah, but should not pray salah while in that state. The majority scholarly opinion permits entry to the mosque for menstruating women in cases of need. Dua โ€” which is what the Rawdah visit is primarily for โ€” is not restricted. Make your duas, send salawat, and leave peacefully. Do not let this prevent you from visiting if you have a valid permit.

๐Ÿ•Œย  Category 8 โ€” What is the Rawdah

Understanding the space, history and significance

Rawdah Madina โ€” also known as Rawdah al-Sharifah (the Noble Garden) and Riyazul Jannah (the Gardens of Paradise) โ€” is a sacred area inside Masjid Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. It is the space between the Prophet Muhammad’s ๏ทบ home (now his blessed grave) and his Minbar (pulpit). The Prophet ๏ทบ himself described it as a garden from the gardens of Paradise in the hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari 1196.

๐Ÿ“Ž Full guide: What is Rawdah Madina โ€” Full explanationย  โ†’ย  rawdahmadinah.com/what-is-rawdah-madina/

Meaning of Rawdah and Riyazul Jannah, exact location, six sacred pillars, the green carpet and 1,400 years of history

The Rawdah is in the southeastern section of Masjid Nabawi. It is approximately 22 metres long and 15 to 20 metres wide. The eastern boundary is the Noble Chamber (the Prophet’s ๏ทบ grave under the green dome). The western boundary is the Minbar (pulpit). The northern boundary is a row of six sacred pillars (Ustuwanaat). It is clearly marked by its distinctive green carpet โ€” contrasting with the red carpet of the rest of the mosque.

Green is the colour of Jannah in Islamic tradition. The Quran describes the gardens of Paradise as intensely green (Quran 55:64, 76:21). It is associated with the Prophet’s ๏ทบ banner and cloak. The green carpet was introduced during the Saudi renovations of the 20th century to visually mark the Rawdah boundaries and to reflect its status as a garden of Paradise on earth. It is renewed regularly.

13 million Muslims visited the Rawdah in 2024 โ€” a historic milestone confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This was up from 5 million in 2022 due to COVID-19. The number continues to grow annually. The permit system, AI crowd management, and multilingual support services were all introduced to manage this volume while maintaining the sanctity and spiritual quality of every pilgrim’s visit.

This is the opinion of the majority of Islamic scholars including Imam al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani โ€” that the Prophet’s ๏ทบ description of the Rawdah as ‘a garden from the gardens of Paradise’ is a literal physical statement. The ground of the Rawdah will be raised to Jannah on the Day of Resurrection. A minority of scholars interpret it as meaning worship here carries the equivalent spiritual reward of worshipping in Paradise. Both interpretations confirm the extraordinary status of this space.

๐Ÿ“Ž Full guide: History & Significance of Riyazul Jannahย  โ†’ย  rawdahmadinah.com/history-of-riyazul-jannah/

1,400 years of Rawdah history โ€” Rightly Guided Caliphs, the green dome, Ottoman stewardship, Saudi expansions and scholarly significance