Visiting Madinah: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Prophet's City and Its Sacred Sites
For most pilgrims, Umrah begins and ends in Makkah, at the Holy Kaaba. Yet few who make the journey to the holy land would consider it complete without also visiting Madinah, the radiant city of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Though a visit to Madinah is not one of the rites of Umrah, it is a beloved and highly recommended practice, cherished by pilgrims for centuries. There is a stillness in the Prophet’s city, a gentleness in its air, that stays with visitors long after they have returned home. For anyone travelling from Britain, understanding the sacred sites of Madinah before you arrive makes the visit far richer and more meaningful.
Most UK pilgrims include Madinah in their journey from the very start. Choosing umrah packages with flights that cover both holy cities means your flights, visa, hotels and the transport between Makkah and Madinah are all arranged in advance, so you can move between the two without a single worry. With the logistics handled, you are free to focus on the worship and the history that await you. Below is a guide to the places every visitor to Madinah should know, and the etiquette that makes the visit so blessed.
The Prophet's Mosque, Masjid al-Nabawi
At the heart of Madinah stands Masjid al-Nabawi, the mosque the Prophet, peace be upon him, built with his own blessed hands, and one of the greatest mosques in all of Islam. The Prophet said that a single prayer offered in his mosque is worth a thousand prayers anywhere else, except in Masjid al-Haram. Beneath the famous green dome lies the resting place of the Prophet himself, alongside his two closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them. To sit quietly in this mosque, to pray and to reflect, is one of the great joys of the entire journey, and pilgrims often return to it again and again throughout their stay.
The Rawdah, a garden of Paradise
Within the Prophet’s Mosque lies a place of unique honour. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” This blessed area, known as the Rawdah and marked today by distinctive green carpet, is a place every pilgrim longs to pray in. Because so many wish to reach it, the area is often crowded, and access is now arranged through the official Nusuk app, so you will need to book your slot in advance and approach with patience. A few moments of prayer and supplication within the Rawdah are treasured for a lifetime.
Greeting the Prophet, peace be upon him
Among the most moving moments of any visit to Madinah is standing before the Prophet, peace be upon him, to offer your salaam. The Sunnah etiquette is simple and beautiful. Approach with calm and deep humility, lower your voice, face the blessed grave, and say, “Assalamu alayka ya Rasulallah,” meaning “Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah.” It is then from the Sunnah to greet Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, who rest beside him. Throughout your days in the city, send abundant salawat upon the Prophet, for Madinah is the place where the heart naturally turns to him in love.
Masjid Quba, the first mosque in Islam
On the edge of Madinah stands Masjid Quba, the very first mosque built in the history of Islam. Its virtue is remarkable: the Prophet, peace be upon him, said that whoever purifies himself in his home, then comes to Masjid Quba and prays in it, will have a reward like that of an Umrah. Many pilgrims, including those who travel on Umrah Packages from Birmingham and from other UK cities, make a special point of performing their wudu at the hotel and then praying two rak’ahs at Quba to earn this immense reward. It is a simple act carrying a truly extraordinary promise, and it is easily arranged during a stay in the city.
Mount Uhud and its martyrs
A short drive from the centre of Madinah lies Mount Uhud, the site of the famous Battle of Uhud in the early years of Islam. The Prophet, peace be upon him, spoke of this mountain with love, saying, “Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it.” At its foot rest the martyrs of that battle, among them the Prophet’s beloved uncle Hamza, may Allah be pleased with him. To stand at Uhud is to remember the sacrifices of the earliest Muslims, who gave everything for their faith, and to raise your hands in dua for them. It is a place that stirs the heart and deepens one’s sense of Islamic history.
Other sites worth visiting
Madinah holds still more for the thoughtful visitor. Masjid al-Qiblatayn, the mosque of the two qiblas, is where the direction of prayer was turned from Jerusalem towards the Holy Kaaba. Al-Baqi, the ancient cemetery lying beside the Prophet’s Mosque, is the resting place of many of the noble companions and members of the Prophet’s household. A knowledgeable guide, often included within a good package, can bring the history of each of these places to life, helping you understand not just what you are seeing, but why it matters so deeply to every believer.
The etiquette and spirit of the visit
More than any single site, Madinah calls for a gentle and humble heart. Keep your voice low, let your manners be beautiful, and fill your days with prayer and remembrance. Spend as much time as you can within the Prophet’s Mosque, give generously in charity, and let the calm of the city settle over you. It is worth remembering that visiting Madinah, however rewarding, is not itself a rite of Umrah, so approach it not as an obligation but as a beloved and precious addition to your journey. That understanding lets you enjoy every moment without anxiety.
A visit that stays with you
Ask pilgrims what they miss most after returning home, and a great many will name Madinah. Its peace, its rich history and its nearness to the Prophet, peace be upon him, leave a mark upon the heart that lasts for years. If you are able, give the city the days it truly deserves rather than rushing through, prepare your heart before you arrive, and let the tranquillity of the Prophet’s city work its quiet effect upon you. May Allah grant every pilgrim the honour of praying in Masjid al-Nabawi and of greeting His beloved Messenger.
