Inside Masjid an-Nabawi there is a small area that every pilgrim hopes to pray in. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“What is between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my minbar is upon my pool (al-Hawd).” (Bukhari and Muslim)
This is Riyadh ul-Jannah, also called ar-Rawdah ash-Sharifah, the Noble Garden.
Where is it?
The Rawdah lies between the Prophet's ﷺ chamber, where he is buried, and his minbar, near the original front of the mosque. It covers roughly 22 by 15 metres. You can recognise it by its green carpet, which contrasts with the red carpet elsewhere, and by its white, gold-decorated pillars.
The historic pillars
The pillars of the Rawdah stand where the palm-trunk pillars of the Prophet's ﷺ time once stood, and several carry names from the Seerah:
- Ustuwanat Aishah: Aishah (RA) described this spot as a place where prayer is especially virtuous.
- Ustuwanat Abi Lubabah (al-Tawbah): the Companion Abu Lubabah (RA) tied himself to it in repentance until Allah accepted his tawbah.
- Ustuwanat al-Hannanah: it marks the palm trunk that wept when the Prophet ﷺ moved to his new minbar, until he came down and comforted it.
- Ustuwanat al-Sarir, al-Haras and al-Wufud: places where he rested in I'tikaf, where his guard stood, and where he received visiting delegations.
Praying in the Rawdah
There is no special prayer for the Rawdah. Pray two rak'ahs or more, make du'a, and remember that the greater reward is for the whole mosque: a prayer there is better than a thousand elsewhere. Do not push, block others, or spend your few minutes taking photos. The Rawdah is a garden of Paradise, and it should be entered with the manners of Paradise.
How to book a Rawdah permit on Nusuk
Entry is by timed permit, booked free of charge through the official Nusuk app (or the Nusuk website). Slots for men and women are separate.
- Install Nusuk from the App Store or Google Play and create an account with your passport and visa details.
- Open “Prayer in Al-Rawdah” (or search for Rawdah) and select the number of people.
- Choose a date and time slot. New slots are released regularly and fill fast, so check often.
- Confirm and save the QR code permit. You may also receive it by email or SMS.
- Arrive 20–30 minutes early at the gate shown on your permit. Staff will scan it and guide you in with your group.
Good to know: the Saudi authorities limit how often one person can book a Rawdah visit, and the time inside is short, usually 10–20 minutes. The current rule is shown in the app. Our guides in Madinah help every Rizqan pilgrim set up Nusuk and book a permit where slots are available.
Tips for a calm visit
- Make wudu before you queue. There is no time to leave and come back.
- Prepare your du'as in advance. Write them in a small notebook if that helps.
- Women's slots usually come after Fajr and in the late morning. Check the app for the times on your dates.
- If you cannot get a permit, do not be sad. Every prayer in Masjid an-Nabawi carries its great reward, and your intention is known to Allah.
See our Umrah packages, all of which include several days in Madinah with hotels near the mosque.
