The City of the Prophet
Medina al-Munawwara (المَدِينَةُ المُنَوَّرَة — the Radiant City) holds a unique place in the heart of every mumin. It is where the Prophet (SAW) migrated, built his community, and lies buried. It is where the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt grew up and taught. It is where the companions of the Prophet learned Islam at its source.
For Bohras performing Hajj — and for those performing Umrah at any time of year — a stay in Medina is among the most precious experiences of their lives. The ziyarat of Medina is not merely tourism of historical sites; it is an encounter with the living spiritual legacy of the Prophet and his family.
This guide covers the major sites of Medina ziyarat in a suggested sequence.
The Heart of Medina: Masjid al-Nabawi
Entering Masjid al-Nabawi
The Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi) is the first destination. When you see the green dome — the distinctive dome over the Prophet’s grave — the heart quickens. Offer this salutation upon first sight:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَافتَح لِي أَبوَابَ رَحمَتِكَ وَبَرَكَتِك
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and his family. And open for me the gates of Your mercy and blessing.
Enter through the Bab al-Salam (Gate of Peace), on the southern side of the mosque — the gate through which the Prophet himself would enter. Upon entering, offer 2 raka’ats namaaz as tahiyyat al-masjid (greeting of the mosque).
The Rawdah al-Nabawiyya — The Garden of Paradise
The Rawdah (الرَّوضَة — the Garden) is the area between the Prophet’s minbar (pulpit) and his grave. The Prophet (SAW) said:
مَا بَيْنَ بَيْتِي وَمِنبَرِي رَوضَةٌ مِن رِيَاضِ الجَنَّة “What lies between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.”
Performing namaaz in the Rawdah carries enormous spiritual reward. The Rawdah area is marked by white carpet (unlike the red carpet of the rest of the mosque). It is extremely crowded, especially at prayer times — plan to spend time waiting.
The Prophet’s Grave — Ziyarat and Salaam
The Prophet (SAW) is buried in what was the room of Sayyida Aisha (RA), which is now enclosed within the mosque under the green dome. Approach the grille on the eastern side of the mosque.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever sends salaam upon me — Allah will return my soul to me so that I can return his salaam.” (Abu Dawud)
Offer the salaam clearly and with the heart:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّه السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا حَبِيبَ اللَّه السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا أَشرَفَ الخَلق صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيكَ وَعَلَى آلِكَ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِين
Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet of Allah. Peace be upon you, O Beloved of Allah. Peace be upon you, O most noble of creation. May Allah’s blessings be upon you and upon your pure and purified family.
After salaam on the Prophet, move a step to the right to offer salaam on Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA), and another step to offer salaam on Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who are buried beside him.
Jannat al-Baqi — The Sacred Cemetery
Directly adjacent to the eastern wall of Masjid al-Nabawi is Jannat al-Baqi (جَنَّةُ البَقِيع — the Garden of Baqi) — the cemetery where the Prophet’s family, companions, and relatives lie buried.
Opening times: Baqi is open to men only, at restricted times. Women are generally not permitted entry by the Saudi authorities; they can make ziyarat from the gate.
For Bohras, Baqi is among the most emotionally charged sites in Islam. Buried here are:
- Imam Hasan ibn Ali (AS) — 2nd Imam, grandson of the Prophet
- Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin (AS) — 4th Imam, survivor of Karbala
- Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS) — 5th Imam, the Splitter of Knowledge
- Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) — 6th Imam, teacher of Imam Malik and Jabir ibn Hayyan
- Sayyida Fatima bint Asad — mother of Imam Ali (AS)
- Ibrahim — the infant son of the Prophet who died in Medina
- The Prophet’s wives (including Sayyida Khadija’s daughter Sayyida Fatima al-Zahra was buried in Mecca; but some family members are here)
- Uthman ibn Affan (RA) — 3rd Caliph
- Thousands of companions and early Muslims
In 1925, the Wahhabi-Saudi forces demolished all the structures over the graves in Baqi — the domes, the grave markers, the built enclosures. This demolition is a source of immense grief for Shia Muslims worldwide. What remains today is a bare dusty ground with simple markers. The Bohra community, alongside the broader Shia world, has consistently called for the restoration of these graves.
Offer the ziyarat of the Imams in Baqi:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا مَولَايَ الإِمَامَ الحَسَنَ المُجتَبَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا مَولَايَ الإِمَامَ عَلِيَّ زَينَ العَابِدِين السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا مَولَايَ الإِمَامَ مُحَمَّدَ البَاقِر السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا مَولَايَ الإِمَامَ جَعفَرَ الصَّادِق
Peace be upon you, O my Master Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba. Peace be upon you, O my Master Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin. Peace be upon you, O my Master Imam Muhammad al-Baqir. Peace be upon you, O my Master Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq.
Masjid Quba — The First Mosque
Masjid Quba is approximately 5 km south of Masjid al-Nabawi, in the Quba district. It is the first mosque ever built in Islamic history, laid by the Prophet (SAW) himself with his own hands when he arrived at the outskirts of Medina during the Hijra in 1 AH.
Imam Ali (AS) helped carry and place the stones. The Quran references this mosque: “A mosque founded on piety from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in.” (9:108)
The Prophet said: “Whoever purifies himself in his house and then comes to Masjid Quba and prays two raka’ats — it is for him like the reward of an Umrah.”
The Prophet (SAW) himself visited Masjid Quba every Saturday, traveling on foot or by mount, and praying 2 raka’ats. Following his sunnah is among the highest acts here.
What to do: Offer 2 raka’ats namaaz. Recite salawat on the Prophet and Imam Ali (AS), whose hands laid these stones.
Masjid al-Qiblatayn — Where the Qibla Changed
Masjid al-Qiblatayn (approximately 4 km north-west of Masjid al-Nabawi) marks the site where the direction of Muslim prayer was changed mid-prayer by divine command:
فَوَلِّ وَجهَكَ شَطرَ المَسجِدِ الحَرَام — “Turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.” (Quran 2:144)
The congregation completed the prayer having begun facing Jerusalem and finished facing Mecca — the two qiblas of the mosque’s name. The original mosque had two prayer niches (mihrabs); the current modern structure retains the memory of this pivotal moment.
Every namaaz you have ever prayed in the direction of the Kaaba — this is where that direction was established for the ummah.
Masjid al-Ghamama — Where the Prophet Prayed Eid
Masjid al-Ghamama (approximately 300 m south-west of Masjid al-Nabawi) is the open-air musalla where the Prophet (SAW) offered the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha congregational prayers. The name (the Cloud) comes from a tradition that a cloud appeared to shade the Prophet during these prayers.
Every Bohra Eid prayer — in your local masjid, wherever you are — is a continuation of the sunnah the Prophet established here. Visiting this site and reflecting on this connection adds profound meaning to every future Eid prayer.
Jabal Uhud — The Mountain of Martyrs
Jabal Uhud is approximately 5 km north of Masjid al-Nabawi. The mountain witnessed the Battle of Uhud (3 AH/625 CE) — the second great battle of early Islam.
At Uhud, Sayyidna Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib (RA) — the Prophet’s uncle, the Master of Martyrs (Sayyid al-Shuhada), Imam Husain’s counterpart in the early Islamic tradition — was martyred by Wahshi ibn Harb and mutilated by Hind bint Utba. The Prophet (SAW) wept over his uncle and said: “There will never be a funeral prayer for anyone greater than this.”
Hamza’s grave is at the foot of Jabal Uhud, along with the graves of 70 other companions who fell at Uhud. The Bohra ziyarat of Jabal Uhud includes:
- Climbing partway up the mountain to the point where the archers stood
- Visiting the Uhud martyrs’ graves
- Offering salaam on Sayyidna Hamza (RA)
السَّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يَا حَمزَةُ يَا عَمَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَأَسَدَ اللَّهِ Peace be upon you, O Hamza, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah and Lion of Allah.
Bir Ali / Masjid al-Shajarah — The Miqat
Masjid al-Shajarah (Bir Ali, at Dhu’l-Hulayfah) is approximately 9 km south-west of Masjid al-Nabawi. It is the miqat (the station for entering ihram) for pilgrims coming from Medina direction.
If you are arriving in Mecca from Medina — the common route for Bohra pilgrims — you will enter ihram here before the coach/car leaves for Mecca.
What to do here:
- Perform ghusl and dress in the two white sheets of ihram
- Offer 2 raka’ats namaaz with niyyat for ihram
- Make the niyyat for Umrah or Hajj
- Recite the talbiyah continuously from this point:
لَبَّيكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيك · لَبَّيكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيك إِنَّ الحَمدَ وَالنِّعمَةَ لَكَ وَالمُلكُ · لَا شَرِيكَ لَك
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Truly all praise, blessing, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.
Note for Bohras specifically: In the Tayyibi fiqh tradition, the primary ihram for Hajj al-Tamattu is assumed at the Miqat before entering Mecca. The specific Bohra practice of assuming ihram under the Meezab (waterspout) inside Hijr Ismail applies at the Kaaba for the Umra portion — your muallim or aamil will guide you through this.
A Note on Sequence and Time
The typical Bohra Medina ziyarat sequence:
- First day/s: Masjid al-Nabawi — namaaz, Rawdah, salaam on Prophet
- Jannat al-Baqi (men, during opening times)
- Masjid Quba (usually a morning trip)
- Jabal Uhud (usually combined with Quba trip)
- Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Masjid al-Ghamama (on the way to/from Quba or separately)
- Before departure to Mecca: Bir Ali for ihram
The organized Bohra Hajj group (through the Dawat’s Hajj delegation office) typically arranges a structured Medina ziyarat program. If traveling independently, engage a local Bohra guide or refer to the aamil of the group for the specific sequence.
The Spirituality of Medina
Beyond the sites, what you seek in Medina is presence — the awareness of being in the city where the Prophet (SAW) walked, prayed, taught, and is buried. Every call to prayer (azaan) in Medina carries extra weight. The sight of the green dome from a rooftop at Fajr time is one of the most spiritually arresting experiences in the world.
The duaa made in Medina, especially in the Rawdah, are among the most readily accepted. Use the time between prayers not merely for rest but for dhikr, Quran, and dua.
اللَّهُمَّ ارزُقنَا زِيَارَةَ نَبِيِّكَ وَاقبَل مِنَّا وَاجعَلهَا وَسِيلَةً لِلقُربِ مِنكَ O Allah, grant us ziyarat of Your Prophet, accept it from us, and make it a means of drawing close to You.