By  Harun Rasaq
Many Muslim from different parts of the world including Nigeria use the period of Hajj to visit Madinah. Although, the authentic saying of the scholars is that: “visit to Madinah during Hajj has no connection whatsoever with Hajj”, still no serious Muslim would intentional miss the opportunity of visiting Madinah during the yearly ritual to Saudi Arabia.

The prophet (s.a.w) said: “One salah in my Mosque is better than a thousand salah in any other mosque except Al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in Makkah. (Bukhari no.1190)

Madinah is the second holy land of the Muslim (after Makkah), the beloved land to Prophet (s.a.w) and believers, the city that was specifically chosen for the Hijrah (migration), residence and resting place of the Prophet (s.a.w). The virtues of visiting Madinah can be found in many authentic hadiths of the Prophet (s.a.w).

The etiquette of Madinah include following: To visit Madinah with good intention (of worship) and not wrong intention (of shopping or tooth design as common with many Hujaj from Nigeria); to keep in mind that Madinah is sacred city where worshippers are encouraged to always involve in righteous deeds such as performance of salat, recitation of Qur’an, making azkar, du’a (prayer), salat on Prophet, sadaqah, ta’aliim, da’wah assisting others, spreading salutations etc; must not involve in act of sin; must persevere and must not harm anyone;  to make Du’a for dead ones in Madinah; and to observe the following ethics: Purify yourself, make ablution and men should apply perfume, wear nice clean dress, walk to the mosque in full submission and humbleness to Allah, Pray for the Prophet more frequently, on arriving at the Prophet’s mosque, enter the Mosque with salutation and with your right foot first saying:

“Bismillah, wasalat wasallam ala rusulu llah, Auzu billahil adhiim wa wajhihil kariim wa sultaanil qadiim minash shaitanir rajiim. Allahuma ftah lii abwaaba rahmatik”.

Perform two raka’ats of salutation to the mosque after entering the mosque, preferably in the Rawdah, otherwise anywhere else in the Mosque.

Then go to the grave of the Prophet (s.a.w), and standing in front of it and facing it, saying with all humility: Assalamu ‘alaika, ayyuhan Nabiy, wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh. (Peace be on you, O Prophet, and the Mercy and Blessings of Allah). Say prayers on him (that is ask Allah’s blessing on him).

There is no harm if you add the following: Allahumma aatihil wasiilata wal fadiilata wab ‘athhul maqaamal mahmuud alladhii afdalal jaza’ (“O Allah! Give him the station of wasiilah (special nearness to Allah, or intercession) and the favour, and raise him to the praiseworthy station that you promised him. O Allah! Reward him on behalf of his Ummah (community) with the best of rewards”).

-Then move a little to the right to stand before the grave of Abu Bakr, (RA) greet him and ask Allah bestow His Mercy, Forgiveness and Pleasure on him.

-Again move a little to the right to stand before the grave of Umar, (RA), and greet him ask Allah to bestow His Mercy, Forgiveness and Pleasure on him; then face direction of Qiblah to supplicate for yourself and others; then leave immediately to allow other worshipers to perform their rites.

You may also visit the various historical sites in Madinah Munawwarah and its surroundings such as Baqi’ cemetery, Qubaa mosque, mount Badr, Uhud and others.