Madina Munawwarah
Virtues of Madina Munawwarah:
Madina Munawwarah is one of the most beloved places to Allah the Exalted, because of the following merits It is the land of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) migration, it is his choice, its people are his neighbors and supporters. It is the land of receiving Revelation [Wahi]. There is no place in Madinah that has not had Qur'anic verses or Prophet's hadith revealed or said therein. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say:
اَللّٰھُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَیْنَا الْمَدِیْنَۃِ کَحُبِّنَا مَکَّۃ اَوْ اَشَدُّ (متفق علیہ)
O’ Allah makes Madina beloved to us as we love Makkah or more.
Prophet's Mosque
In Islam, the Prophet's ( PBUH) Mosque is second in rank with regard to merit and status in Allah's sight. The same applies to the reward for the worshipers and those heading there. The Prophet( peace be upon him) said:
لا تَشُدُ الرِحال إلاإلی ثَلاثَة مَساجِد ، المسجد الحرام ، ومسجدي ھذا ،
والمسجد الأقصی (متفق علیہ)
Do not undertake a journey, but to one of the three Mosques: the Sacred Mosque, this Mosque of mine, and Al-Aqsa Mosque."
It has been narrated that performing prayers in the Prophet's Mosque is of great merit and reward. The Prophet ( PBUH) said:
صَلاة فی مَسجدی ھَذا أفضل مِن ألف صَلاة فِیما سِواہ الا المسجد الحرام
و صلاة فی المسجد الحرام افضل من مائة ألف صلاة فیما سواہ (متفق علیہ)
“Prayer in this Mosque of mine is a thousand times more excellent than a Prayer in any other mosque except the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah).”
Visiting the Prophet's Mosque
Going to Madina at any time with the intention of visiting the Prophet's Mosque is a sunnah, as is performing salah in it.
There is no Ahram or Talbiyah for the visiting to the Prophet's Mosque, upon reaching the mosque, pray two Rakats of Tahaiya-tul-Masjid or perform any obligatory prayer that is due.
Note: One should enter first by his right foot and supplicate saying
اَللّٰھُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَیْنَا الْمَدِیْنَۃِ کَحُبِّنَا مَکَّۃ اَوْ اَشَدُّ (متفق علیہ)
O’ Allah, Open for me the doors of your Mercy.
The Prophet's Grave (Roza-al-Mubarak)
A visitor should not raise his voice in the Mosque as a sign of politeness with the Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him).
Lowering one's voice is also a sign of obedience to the words of the Almighty Allah,
“O ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak loud to him in talk, as ye may speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not. Of those who lower their voices in the presence of Allah's Messenger (PBUH) their hearts has Allah tested for piety: for them is forgiveness and a great reward.”
Thus, it is a warning to those who raise their voices in the presence of Allah's Messenger (PBUH) that Allah will render their deeds vain and avoid them and will not reward them.
It has been narrated that Hadrat Abu Bakr Al-Siddique (A) used to say, “There should be no raising of voices in the presence of a prophet, whether dead or alive.”
1. When the visitor finishes the greeting rak`ahs, he should go to the Honored Apartment, face the grave of the Prophet (PBUH) and greet him, saying,
"Peace be upon you, O’ Messenger of Allah. Peace be upon you, O’ the dearest one to Allah.
Peace be upon you, O’ the best of His creation.
I bear witness that you indeed have delivered the message (of Allah), discharged your trust, advised the Muslim community, and strived hard in the cause of Allah until there came unto you the Hour that is certain.”
2. Then, he takes a step to the right and greets Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq saying,
“Peace be upon you, O’ Abu Bakr.
Peace be upon you, O’ Second of the two who were in the Cave. Peace be upon
you, O’ Successor of Allah's Messenger (PBUH).”
3. Then, he takes another step to the right and greets Hazrat Umar Al-Farooq saying:
Peace be upon you, O’ Amir of the Believers.
Peace be upon you, O’ Abu Hafsa.
Peace be upon you, O’ Eliminator of Sedition.”
4. Then, he faces the Qiblah, with his back to the Honoured Apartment, and while leaving a place for others, invokes Allah for his welfare both in this world and in the Hereafter.
