Etiquette relating to the visit to the Prophet’s Tomb: Visiting the Tomb of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah grant and bless him peace, is a very special moment for a person who loves him. This is a touching and moving experience. The possibility of visiting him in person is not available for a believer after his death. The only solace is to come closer to his tomb and express supplications, praising, and praying for him. The Prophet ﷺ has encouraged the believers to come to his place, giving the good tidings, “My intercession is assured for those who visit me.”In another tradition, he said, “Anyone who, for the Sake of Allah, visits me in Madinah is near me, and on the Day of Resurrection I will intercede for him.”
He also said, “Whosoever visits me after my death, it is as if he visited me while I am alive.”
Many scholars have described the etiquette of the visit to the Prophet’s tomb, which includes:Do not stand there for a long time; greet him and depart.
Stand at the tomb of the Prophet ﷺ and say the prayer upon him, then pray for Abu Bakr and then Umar, who are buried beside the Prophet.
Imam Malik, in his book Muwatta, has suggested that a visitor may say, “Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.”
Another scholar suggested that the visitor to the tomb should supplicate for the Prophet ﷺ, using the words praise and veneration, and choose a different word for Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them.
Syeda Fatima, daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, may Allah be pleased with her, said that she heard the Prophet ﷺ say, “Whenever you enter the (Prophet’s) Mosque, supplicate for praise upon the Prophet ﷺ and say, ‘O Allah, forgive me my sins and open the doors of Your Mercy to me.’ When you leave, supplicate for praise upon the Prophet ﷺ and say, ‘O Allah, forgive me my sins and open the doors of Your overflowing favour to me.”
Although the visit to Madinah and entering into the mosque of the Prophet is not a part of the official rituals of Hajj (The Higher Pilgrimage) or Umrah (The Lesser Pilgrimage), it is beyond comprehension that a person on the pilgrimage will be so unmindful, if not ungrateful, to miss the opportunity without any valid reason. The Prophet ﷺ has said that such a person “disregarded me.” The disgraceful person may lose the chance of intercession by the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgement.
The importance of Madinah and the Mosque of the Prophet
Allah says in the Qur’an, “A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (9:108)
Companions enquired the Prophet ﷺ that which mosque fitted in this description, he replied, “My Mosque.”
The Prophet ﷺ said that conscious travelling to visit any mosque should be done to visit three mosques, the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah), my Mosque (in Madinah) and the Mosque of al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).”
The value of a prayer offered in the Prophet’s ﷺ Mosque is higher than in other mosques. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The prayer in my Mosque is better than a thousand prayers in any other mosque except for the Sacred Mosque.”
Another prophetic tradition on the subject says, “One prayer in the Sacred Mosque is better than a hundred prayers in my Mosque.” It has also been opined that a prayer offered in the Sacred Mosque is a hundred thousand times better than a prayer offered anywhere.
There are many other traditions of the Prophet ﷺ regarding the importance and specific features of different places in this mosque. He informed, “What lies between my house and my pulpit is one of the Meadows of the Garden.”
He also said, “and my pulpit is above my Pool (Kawthar).” “My pulpit is one of the raised gardens of the Garden.”
Scholars have tried to decipher and understand the meanings of the above statements about the Prophet’s pulpit, and one such meaning, which they arrived at, is that being present near the pulpit of the Prophet is a highly recommended good deed.