MadinahDec 6, 2025
Extended Visiting Hours for Rawdah
New visiting hours announced for women's Rawdah access during peak season.
Inside Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah lies one of the most spiritually significant spots on earth — Riyad ul Jannah, the blessed area described by the Prophet ﷺ as a garden from the gardens of Paradise. This guide covers everything pilgrims need to know before they visit.
"Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my fountain (al-Hawd)."
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ · Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim
Riyad ul Jannah (رياض الجنة) — literally "the gardens of Paradise" — is the area inside Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah that lies between the Prophet's ﷺ noble grave and his original pulpit (minbar). Based on the hadith above, narrated in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, scholars universally consider this area to be of extraordinary spiritual significance.
The area is also known as the Rawdah al-Sharifah (the Noble Garden), and is commonly referred to simply as the Rawdah among pilgrims. Whether written as Riyad ul Jannah, Riyadul Jannah, or Riaz ul Jannah — all spellings refer to this same blessed place.
The space covers approximately 330 square metres — a relatively small area within the vast modern Masjid an-Nabawi, which today accommodates over a million worshippers. Yet it remains the most sought-after place of prayer in the entire mosque.
The easiest way to identify Riyad ul Jannah is by the carpet colour. The overwhelming majority of Masjid an-Nabawi has a red carpet. Riyad ul Jannah is marked distinctively by a green and white carpet, immediately visible as you approach the area.
The pillars within the Riyad ul Jannah boundary are white with green detailing — as opposed to the yellow and golden pillars found elsewhere in the mosque. The area is located in the southeastern section of the original mosque, directly adjacent to the tomb of the Prophet ﷺ.
The green dome: The iconic green dome visible from outside the mosque marks the location of the Prophet's ﷺ tomb. Riyad ul Jannah is just to the west of the dome, inside the mosque.
The green and white carpet: Once inside the mosque, look for the distinctive green/white carpet area. It stands out immediately against the red carpet of the rest of the mosque.
White pillars: The boundary of Riyad ul Jannah is flanked by white pillars. The first pillar on the right as you face the qibla is Ustuwanat al-Mukhallaq — one of the significant pillars within the rawdah.
The mimbar: The Prophet's ﷺ original pulpit location marks the western boundary of Riyad ul Jannah. The current mimbar stands in approximately the same position.
Access to Riyad ul Jannah is managed by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs and mosque security — the arrangements change seasonally and are different for men and women.
Generally accessible throughout the mosque's open hours, though the area can become extremely congested during prayer times and peak seasons.
Entry is typically from the main prayer hall — security staff manage the flow and may temporarily restrict entry when capacity is reached.
The best times are after Fajr (before the main crowd arrives) or late night after Isha.
Women access Riyad ul Jannah through designated time slots, typically in the early morning after Fajr before men's general access opens.
Additional time slots may be available during the day depending on the season. Mosque staff at the women's entrance will advise on current timings.
During Ramadan and Hajj, scheduling changes — confirm with your tour guide or hotel concierge upon arrival in Madinah.
There are no obligatory acts prescribed specifically for Riyad ul Jannah — your time here is voluntary worship. The following is the practice of most scholars and pilgrims:
Enter with intention and salaam
Enter Masjid an-Nabawi with the intention of visiting the Prophet ﷺ and seeking the blessing of praying in his mosque. Recite the dua for entering the mosque.
Make your way to Riyad ul Jannah
Head to the green-carpeted area. During busy periods, be patient — the crowd moves, and there is no rush that justifies harming or displacing another pilgrim.
Offer two rakat of nafl prayer
Pray two voluntary rakat inside the green-carpeted area. This is considered among the most blessed prayers a Muslim can offer outside of the obligatory prayers.
Send abundant salawat
Recite salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ as abundantly as you can. This is especially meritorious at his mosque, and particularly in Riyad ul Jannah.
Make sincere dua
This is one of the most powerful places on earth for supplication. Prepare your duas in advance — for yourself, your family, the Ummah. Speak from the heart.
Visit the Prophet's grave
When you leave, proceed to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ to offer salaam. The route is managed by mosque staff — follow their direction.
The period immediately after Fajr prayer — before the mosque fills for the day — consistently offers the most accessible and peaceful visit. Arrive at Fajr, pray with the congregation, and move to Riyad ul Jannah immediately after.
For those who can manage it, the final hours of the night before Fajr are when the mosque is quietest. A deeply spiritual time to pray in the rawdah.
Outside of Ramadan, Hajj, school holidays, and weekends, crowds are manageable and you may have several minutes of relative peace in Riyad ul Jannah.
The mosque fills to extraordinary capacity on Fridays. Jumu'ah crowds arrive hours early and access to Riyad ul Jannah becomes very challenging.
The most spiritually charged times at the mosque are also the most physically demanding. Visiting Riyad ul Jannah during peak Ramadan and Hajj requires patience, good timing, and realistic expectations.
Within Riyad ul Jannah, several pillars have specific names and historical significance — each marking a spot where the Prophet ﷺ or his companions prayed or gathered.
The first pillar to the right of the Prophet's grave as you face the qibla. The Prophet ﷺ often prayed at this spot. It is considered among the most blessed places in the rawdah to pray.
Where the Prophet ﷺ would receive delegations from tribes. Located near the current mimbar position.
Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ specifically prayed at this spot. Many pilgrims seek this pillar, though it is not always clearly marked for visitors.
Where the companions of the Prophet ﷺ would take turns guarding him during the night. Located near the entrance to the rawdah.
Maintain wudu before entering Masjid an-Nabawi — entering the mosque in a state of ritual purity is the correct practice.
Do not push or crowd others. The spiritual reward of visiting Riyad ul Jannah is not worth injuring or distressing a fellow pilgrim.
Keep your voice low — the mosque operates in an atmosphere of worship and many people are in prayer or contemplation around you.
Phones and photography: while not officially prohibited everywhere in the mosque, taking photos in Riyad ul Jannah is widely considered disrespectful. Focus on worship.
If you cannot reach the green carpet area, do not despair — praying anywhere in Masjid an-Nabawi carries an enormous reward. The Prophet ﷺ said that one prayer in his mosque is worth a thousand prayers elsewhere (except Masjid al-Haram).
Come with prepared duas. This is not the time to think of what to ask — write them down beforehand and bring the list.
If you are visiting with elderly family members or those with mobility needs, approach security staff — they can often advise on better access routes or timing.
Riyad ul Jannah (رياض الجنة) translates as 'the gardens of Paradise' or 'meadow of Paradise'. It is also commonly spelled Riyadul Jannah, Riaz ul Jannah, or Rawdah al-Sharifah. All refer to the same blessed area inside Masjid an-Nabawi between the Prophet's ﷺ pulpit and his noble grave.
The easiest way to identify Riyad ul Jannah is by the carpet colour. The rest of Masjid an-Nabawi has a red carpet; Riyad ul Jannah is marked by a distinctive white and green carpet, bounded by white pillars (as opposed to the yellow/golden pillars in the rest of the mosque). The area is directly adjacent to the Prophet's ﷺ tomb on one side and the original minbar (pulpit) location on the other.
Yes, women are permitted to visit Riyad ul Jannah, but access is managed through designated time slots to prevent overcrowding. Women's access is typically granted in the morning after Fajr prayer (before men's general access opens) and may have additional slots depending on the season. Check with mosque staff or your tour guide for current schedules, as these change seasonally and during Ramadan and Hajj.
No — visiting Riyad ul Jannah is not obligatory (fard) or a requirement of Umrah or Hajj. It is a highly recommended voluntary act (mustahabb) given the immense spiritual reward described in the hadith. Missing it does not affect the validity of any pilgrimage.
During peak seasons (Ramadan, Hajj, school holidays), access can be extremely crowded and individual dwell time may be very short — sometimes just a few minutes before the crowd moves you along. During quieter periods, you may have more time to sit, pray, and make dua at your own pace. Come with realistic expectations during busy seasons.
There are no specific prescribed prayers beyond the general worship you would offer anywhere in Masjid an-Nabawi. Most pilgrims offer two rakat of nafl (voluntary) prayer, recite abundant salawat (blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ), and make sincere personal dua. Given the significance of the location, many pilgrims choose to recite longer portions of Quran or make du'as they have prepared in advance.
The Prophet's ﷺ grave (within the rawdah al-sharifah) is adjacent to Riyad ul Jannah but is separated by barriers and managed access. Visiting the grave to offer salawat and salaam is done through a designated corridor along the eastern side of the mosque. The process, timing, and access routes vary — mosque staff and your guide can advise on the current setup.
Updates for pilgrims & visitors
New visiting hours announced for women's Rawdah access during peak season.
Direct shuttle buses now available from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Makkah hotels.
New designated areas for Zamzam water collection at Masjid al-Haram.
Temperatures in Makkah and Madinah expected to drop. Pack light layers.
Updates are for informational purposes. Always verify with official sources.