Etiquettes to observe while visiting Madinah Munawwarah

It is indeed a great honour and privilege for a person to undertake this spectacular journey and become the neighbour of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam for a few days. In order to take maximum benefit from this great city and to avoid returning empty-handed, one is required to adopt the proper conduct.

There are many aspects a person needs to consider while in Madinah Munawwarah, but for the sake of brevity, just a few are mentioned below.

• One needs to correct his intention from home. One needs to ask oneself ‘Why am I undertaking this journey?’ It is indeed a great calamity for one to undertake such a momentous journey with an incorrect intention such as boasting, showing off or shopping, etc. One’s intention should be to visit Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and to present salaam directly to him. What a great fortune it is to present oneself in the court of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam ! Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has stated, “Whoever comes to visit me with no other motive (driving him to come to me), then it is a right upon me to intercede on his behalf on the Day of Qiyaamah.” (Al-Mu`jamul Kabeer #13149)
• During the journey to Madinah Munawwarah, one’s enthusiasm and excitement should increase, since one is being blessed with the opportunity of visiting one’s beloved. One should recite abundant Durood as well as read and discuss the life of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, so that the love for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is increased and the thoughts are focused on him. These feelings should escalate and increase as one comes closer and closer to Madinah Munawwarah.
• One should not harm, speak ill, or hurt the feelings of the people of Madinah Munawwarah. They are the neighbours of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. No matter what colour they may be, whether they are Arab or not, we must respect them because they are the people of the city of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. In one Hadeeth, Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam mentions: “Whoever plots against the people of Madinah Munawwarah, he will be destroyed just as salt dissolves in water.” (Saheeh Bukhari #1877)
• One should constantly recite Durood Shareef while in Madinah Munawwarah.
• One should ensure that all his Salaah are performed in Masjid Nabawi. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam mentioned: “A single Salaah in my Masjid is better than a thousand Salaah in any other Masjid except Masjidul Haraam.” (Saheeh Bukhari #1190)
• One should endeavour to adopt the Sunnah attire at all times, especially while in Madinah Munawwarah. Special care should be taken to lengthen the beard, keeping the pants above the ankles, wearing the Topee, etc.
• Women should be particular of observing Hijaab and Niqaab, ensuring their faces are covered. While this must be observed at all times, the very least is to adopt it in these holy lands as a token of respect. In Sha Allah there is hope that by affording the Hijaab and Niqaab their due importance in these lands, one will be blessed with the ability of observing it throughout one’s life.
• One should be watchful of one’s company and should not be influenced by the wrong ideologies of others, since all types of people are found in these holy lands.
•  One must be extremely cautious of committing any sin on this sacred land. Negligence should not be shown to any sin, especially intermingling of men and women, watching television, taking photos of animate objects, etc. Just as rewards are multiplied in these blessed lands, so too are sins increased and regarded more seriously in the court of Allah Ta`aala.
•  Particular care should be taken regarding the sin of photography. Many people, ignorantly, involve themselves in taking selfies while in the presence of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam at the Rawdha Mubaarak. Notwithstanding the prohibition, this is also an act of great disrespect. It should not be that, through our lack of respect, we are deprived of the spiritual benefits of visiting Madinah Munawwarah.
• One should avoid any actions that disrespect Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam or the city of Madinah Munawwarah and its honorable inhabitants.
• One should spare some time and visit the various historical sites in Madinah Munawwarah and its surroundings such as Musjid Qubaa, Badr, Uhud etc, to bring back the memories of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and the Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum and their sacrifices for the cause of Islam.
•  Make Du`aa for death in Madinah Munawwarah. As Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu made Du`aa, “O Allah, grant me martyrdom in Your path and grant me death in the city of Your beloved Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.” (Saheeh Bukhari #1890)