Visits to Medina are among the most rewarding Islamic pilgrimages. One of the world’s premier mosques, Prophet’s Mosque is an iconic landmark that can hold over 1.6 million worshipers at any given time.
Muslim pilgrims travel here to offer prayers and invoke the intercession (wasila) of Prophet Mohammed, making this one of the world’s most stunning mosques and home to sacred relics.
Visit the Tomb
Each year, millions of Muslims travel to Medina in Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah rituals. Medina, also known as Madinah Munawarrah or Madinat Rasul Allah is considered the second holiest site in Islam after Mecca.
Muslims flocking to Medina visit the grave of Prophet (peace be upon him) at his Tomb in the Prophet’s Mosque, alongside that of Aisha and Hafsa (may Allah bless them both), along with first two Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar.
This tomb is enclosed by three enclosure walls, green curtains and gold mesh fencing; additionally it boasts six viewing holes on its south facade.
Even during its periodic controversy, Muhammad’s tomb remains an integral site to Muslims worldwide and serves as an annual pilgrimage destination. Millions of visitors from all around the globe come each year to Medina to pay their respects to him and his family members.
Visit the Green Dome
The Green Dome of Medina is one of its most iconic landmarks. Standing guard above Prophet Muhammad and other early Islamic leaders’ graves, its beauty can be appreciated at any time of day or night.
Sultan Qalawoon Al-Saalihi first constructed the dome in 678 AH over Aisha’s sacred room made of wood with eight pointed corners octagonally shaped plates of lead placed on top to protect it from rainwater.
At the time of Naasir Hasan ibn Muhammad Qalawoon, when the plates began to shift and slide around the wall, Ashraf Sha’baan ibn Husayn ibn Muhammad took steps to repair and refurbish them in 765 AH.
After a devastating fire broke out at the mosque and its dome in 1481, Sultan Qaitbay ordered most of the wooden base be replaced with brickwork to prevent another disaster from bringing its dome crashing down again. Furthermore, plates of lead were added as cover over its new dome to make this structure watertight. He also patronised its renewal along with that of Prophet’s tomb.
Visit the Grand Mosque
The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina is considered one of Islam’s two holiest sites after Mecca’s Kaaba. Each year, millions of Muslims travel from all around the world to Medina in order to visit this mosque and its tomb of Prophet Mohammed.
Medina’s Old City serves as the hub of Muslim devotional life around the globe and serves as an Islamic knowledge center, where Islamic scholars teach and study.
Pilgrims come to this beautiful building to perform numerous rituals, including circumambulating the Kaaba. Inside are exquisite details and one-of-a-kind treasures that make the Grand Mosque truly remarkable.
The mosque was constructed through an international collaborative of construction companies. It features marbled halls, one-of-a-kind artwork and reflective pools reminiscent of Islamic architecture; while its main prayer hall’s carpet – made by over 1,300 Iranian artisans – stands as an impressive testament.
Visit the Museum
The Museum of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina is an outstanding spot to visit, offering over 2,000 artifacts and giving visitors an understanding of Medina’s rich history.
Visit the museum by yourself or hire a tour guide to better understand all its exhibits, which include a model of Haram al-Sharif as well as information regarding Prophet Mohammed’s tomb. There’s so much to see!
Another prominent aspect of the Museum is its Holography technology, 4DX theater and virtual reality (VR).
The museum exhibits some of the most notable artifacts from Prophet’s life, such as an iconic bow belonging to Sa’d ibn Abi-Waqas – one of his companions during Prophet’s journeys.