Madinah is a well-known city of Saudi Arabia where a lot of tourists, especially Muslims, visit and explore its historical places. Madinah is an Islamic city which is famous among the Muslim community after Makkah. Usually, people see this holiest city during a pilgrimage like Hajj and Umrah. Do you know that Madinah will never disappoint you for visiting because of its natural wonders and Masjid an-Nabawi?
There are a lot of must-see destinations in Madinah that pilgrims and tourists visit each year. The geography of Madinah is very old and linked with pre-Islamic times. This blessed city is also known as the “City of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)”. As part of their Umrah booking, pilgrims visit Madinah and its Ziyarat places during their religious journey. People usually stay for seven to ten nights in hotels to explore the city and its must-see destinations.
Let’s see the top seven must-visit spots of Madinah that you shouldn’t miss!
- Masjid an-Nabawi – The Spiritual Heart of Madinah
Masjid an-Nabawi is not just a Mosque but a centre for praying in the city. The major symbol of this Mosque is the Green Dome and high minarets. This holy Mosque’s foundation was laid by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) itself in 622 CE after buying land from two orphan children, Sahl and Suhayl. Masjid an-Nabawi is the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) final resting place. Along the Prophet’s grave, Abu Bakr (R.A) and Umar (R.A) are also buried. That’s why Muslims pay huge respect to this Mosque on their visit.
Riyaz ul-Jannah is also inside the Masjid an-Nabawi, which is a very significant place. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said about Riyaz ul-Jannah: “The part between my house and my Minbar is one of the gardens of paradise.” Actually, this place is located between Rauza-e-Anwar and Minbar-e-Rasool. Did you know that the Green Dome of Masjid an-Nabawi is exactly above the place where the grave of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is located?
The Prophet’s Mosque has almost 42 gates, and the famous ones are Bab as-Salam, Bab Jibril, and Bab an-Nisa. The courtyard of the Mosque has more than 250 umbrellas to protect visitors from direct hot sunlight. Now, the Saudi government is improving the Masjid an-Nabawi day by day, and each pilgrim has a specific time slot to visit Riyaz ul-Jannah. This slot is allocated via a Rawdah permit, which can be obtained through the Nusuk mobile application. Non-Muslims won’t be allowed to enter the Rawdah Sharif, but they can enter the Mosque and explore the culture of Islamic traditions.
- Masjid-e-Quba – The First Mosque of Islam
The status of the Quba Mosque is very high in the history of Islam. This is the first Mosque of Islam whose foundation was laid by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for the first time ever with His own hands. Actually, Quba is a place where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stayed while migrating from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD. It was approximately a 14-day stay when the idea of Masjid-e-Quba’s construction took place.
The Holy Quran also highlights this Mosque in its chapter At-Tawbah’s verse 108, that the Quba Mosque’s foundation was only piety. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a huge love for this Mosque and prayed there every weekend. From time to time, the Quba Mosque face many renovations, and the structure we see today was rebuilt by the Saudi government in 1986. Now, it has 56 domes and has the capacity of 20k to 30k people to accommodate for praying.
So, if you ever visit Madinah, don’t forget to visit the Quba Mosque, where you can feel the Islamic history. Non-Muslims can also see and take photographs of the Mosque, but for Muslims, the Mosque holds great significance. The total distance between Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid-e-Quba is around 3.5 to 4 km, which can take about one hour on foot. However, on the vehicle, it won’t take more than 10 to 15 minutes to reach.
- Masjid al-Qiblatain – Mosque of the Two Qiblas
Masjid al-Qiblatain symbolises the basic changes of Islamic times. The name of this Mosque represents the changed Qibla direction. The history of Masjid al-Qiblatain dates back to the early Islamic times when Muslims used to pray towards the direction of Jerusalem. Then, after two years of migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Allah SWT changed the direction of Qibla from Jerusalem to the Holy Kaaba, Makkah. This direction turns their direction by 180 degrees from North to South. This remarkable incident happened inside the Mosque, hence it is named “Qiblatain”.
Masjid al-Qiblatain is approximately 5 km away from Masjid an-Nabawi on the north-west side of Madinah. People and visitors from all over the world come here to see the place where Allah SWT gave Muslims their distinct identity and centre (the Holy Kaaba). You may know that the Qiblatain Mosque is also mentioned in the Holy Quran’s Surah al-Baqarah (verse 144). If you plan to visit there, try to go there in the morning when the crowds are less.
- Mount Uhud – A Symbol of Courage and Martyrdom
The Uhud Mountain is located on the north side of Madinah, which is almost 7 to 8 km high. This mount is also mentioned in the Hadith. Uhud means one or separate because its position is isolated from other mountains. Mount Uhud is directly related to the Battle of Uhud, which occurred in the third year of Hijrah. In this war, the holy teeth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were martyred, and His face was injured.
The famous figure of Islam Hamza (R.A), who was martyred in the Uhud battle, and His grave, along with other martyrs, are situated within a walled enclosure of Mount Uhud. People visit this mountain and pay respect. Pilgrims climb a hillock and see the entire area of war. The most significant Mosque Sayyid al-Shuhada, is located on the plain of Uhud. Muslims visit there and offer prayers. When you visit the Uhud area, remember the remarkable event of Islam and learn how Allah SWT helped Muslims from the opposition.
- Masjid al-Ghamama: A Symbol of Faith and Devotion
Mosque al-Ghamama is one of the historical mosques in Madinah, having mysterious silence and beautiful architecture. The word Ghamama means clouds, and the Mosque got its name when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed to Allah SWT for rain. This situation occurred due to a dry spell in Madinah. Masjid al-Ghamama also has a unique fact that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offered the last four prayers of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha of His life here.
Mosque al-Ghamama is very close to the Prophet’s Mosque, around 500 metres on the southwest corner. You will only need to walk 2 to 5 minutes on foot to reach this Mosque. This is also close to Masjid Abu Bakr and Masjid Ali. Today’s architecture of Mosque al-Ghamama reflects the works of the Ottoman Empire. This Mosque has black stones in its construction, which were brought from the volcanic areas of Madinah.
The best time to visit the Masjid outside is during Asar and Maghrib time. When the lights of the Masjid an-Nabawi are turned on during the evening, and it cools down, the view of Masjid al-Ghamama’s black building gets very stunning. During Ramadan, this Mosque also becomes very crowded. Pilgrims frequently visit to seek blessings from Allah SWT. Therefore, pilgrims performing Umrah in Ramadan shouldn’t miss this important and must-see Ziyarat point during their spiritual journey.
- Jannat al-Baqi – The Sacred Cemetery of the Companions
Jannat al-Baqi, also known as Baqi al-Gharqad, is Madinah’s oldest and most famous cemetery. Essentially, al-Baqi cemetery is located on the place where a lot of thorny trees were planted. This cemetery is very close to the Masjid an-Nabawi on the east side. Jannat al-Baqi holds the graves of many revered figures of Islam, including Usama bin Maz’oon (R.A) and Asad bin Zurarah (R.A). Approximately ten thousand companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are buried in Jannat al-Baqi. The most famous personality of Islam, the third Caliph, Usman bin Affan (R.A), is also in Jannat al-Baqi.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) often used to visit this cemetery and make Duas of forgiveness for the buried ones. Jannat al-Baqi opens after Fajar prayers and Asar prayers for men. Women aren’t allowed to enter the cemetery; they stand near and salute the graves. Whenever you visit the al-Baqi cemetery, offer forgiveness supplications to Allah SWT for the buried ones.
- Dar Al Madinah Museum – A Journey of Madinah’s Past
Dar Al Madinah Museum is Madinah’s first private museum, filled with history, architecture, and presents the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) beautifully. By the way, the main purpose of this museum is to show Madinah’s 1400-year-old past with modern views. When visitors enter the museum, they feel like they have stepped into Islam’s past. There are many exquisite scale models and 3D models inside the museum, such as Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet’s (PBUH) house, a map of Islamic battles, and some historical artefacts.
A special model is showing the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through images and maps. It also shows the symbols where the Prophet (PBUH) stayed during migration. Dar Al Madinah Museum is located on the King Abdulaziz Road (Knowledge Economic City) and is a 15-20 minute drive from Masjid an-Nabawi.
If you are travelling with kids, then the Dar Al Madinah Museum is a great place for children’s education because visual models can be quickly understood. There may be a small entry fee of 10 to 15 SAR per person. The museum is open at different times, so you must check online before going.
To conclude this article, Madinah is not just a city but a place of must-see destinations where you never get bored. The thing that makes it unique is the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), His companions, and early Islamic times. If you are a Muslim, you can visit this blessed city and explore during your Umrah trip because most people visit there during Umrah. May your visit go well and you take blessings from this holy city!
