Entering the Rawdah ash-Shareefah (Riyazul Jannah — The Garden of Paradise) in the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi) in Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah is among the most emotionally stirring and spiritually transformative experiences of any believer's lifetime.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) explicitly described this blessed area:

Physical Dimensions & The Green Carpet

While the vast majority of Masjid an-Nabawi is carpeted in regal red or rich burgundy, the sacred boundary of the Rawdah is demarcated by emerald green floral carpets.

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  East Boundary: The Sacred Chamber (Al-Hujrah ash-Shareefah), which was originally the private room of Sayyidah Aisha (RA) and is now the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA), and Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).
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  West Boundary: The Prophetic Pulpit (Minbar Nabawi).
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  South Boundary: The Qiblah wall and the Mihrab of the Prophet (Mihrab an-Nabawi).
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  North Boundary: A line parallel to the end of Aisha's room (approximating the Ustuwaanah/Pillar of Aisha and the rear boundary of the original mosque extension).
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  Total Area: Approximately 330 square meters (22 meters in length by 15 meters in width). Because this physical footprint is compact, the Saudi government strictly manages footfall via electronic permits on the Nusuk platform to prevent overcrowding, stampedes, and physical hardship for elderly and vulnerable pilgrims.

If you are planning your overall pilgrimage budget, including travel from Mecca to Medina via the high-speed bullet train, explore our comprehensive Master Umrah Cost Calculator to model exact ground expenses.

To secure a Rawdah permit, every pilgrim aged 5 and older must possess an active profile on the Nusuk Application (available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store).

Step-by-Step Account Creation:

1. 1
   Download & Open Nusuk: Ensure your device language is set to English or Arabic to avoid translation rendering bugs.
2. 2
   Select Account Type:

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  International visitors holding a Tourist eVisa, Umrah Visa, or GCC Resident Visa must tap "Visitor / International".
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  Saudi Citizens and Iqama holders must select "Citizen / Resident" and authenticate via Absher/Nafath.

1. 1
   Input Identity Details:

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  Visa Number: The 10-digit number printed on your Saudi eVisa or Umrah sticker.
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  Passport Number: Must match your physical passport with absolute precision (no spaces or hyphens).
• •
  Nationality: Select your passport issuing country.
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  Date of Birth: Gregorian date matching passport.

1. 1
   Contact Information & Mobile Number:

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  You can register using your home international mobile number (with international dial code) or a local Saudi SIM card (STC, Mobily, Zain).
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  Important Tip: If you register with an international number, ensure international SMS roaming is activated to receive the One-Time Password (OTP) during login.

1. 1
   Add Dependents & Companions:

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  You can add family members (spouse, parents, children) under your main account by navigating to "Companions" and entering their passport and visa details. This enables you to book the identical time slot for your entire group simultaneously.

Rawdah slots are released dynamically by the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah. Because demand exceeds physical capacity by over 500%, knowing when the system algorithm releases slot batches is the difference between securing an immediate confirmation and seeing the dreaded "No timeslots available" screen.

The 3 Core Slot Release Windows (2026/2027 Monitored Patterns)

Color Coding on the Nusuk Booking Calendar

When you select the Rawdah service on Nusuk, the calendar displays availability via color-coded indicators:

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  Green: Plentiful availability with light expected crowd density.
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  Orange / Yellow: Moderate availability with medium crowd volume.
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  Red: Very limited availability with high crowd volume (grab these immediately).
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  Grey / Blank: Fully booked or not yet open for reservation.

For male pilgrims, entry into the Rawdah ash-Shareefah and the greeting at the Sacred Chamber (Muwaajaha) is organized through designated southern and eastern corridors of Masjid an-Nabawi.

Men's Visiting Time Shifts:

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  Morning Shift (Post-Fajr): From approximately 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM (optimal lighting, highly recommended for energetic worship).
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  Night Shift (Post-Isha): From approximately 09:30 PM to 01:30 AM (cooler temperatures in the outer courtyards).

Entry Route & Gate Protocol for Men:

1. 1
   Holding Courtyard: Male pilgrims assemble in the Southern / South-Eastern Plaza near Gate 1 (Bab As-Salam) or Bab Bilal.
2. 2
   Barcode Scan Checkpoint: Saudi security marshals scan your active Nusuk QR code on your mobile screen. Screenshots are frequently rejected if the security scanner detects an inactive screen refresh; keep the live app open.
3. 3
   Holding Lines & Batching: Pilgrims are seated in orderly partitioned rows on carpeted plaza walkways. Marshals release pilgrims in controlled batches of 200–300 at 10-minute intervals.
4. 4
   Corridor of Entry: You enter through Bab As-Salam (Gate 1), walking slowly along the designated barrier track past the historical columns until reaching the emerald green carpet.

If you are organizing your ground transport from Jeddah Airport or Mecca to Medina, check our Umrah Transportation Cost Calculator to compare private cabs, SAPTCO buses, and the Haramain bullet train.

For female pilgrims, the administration operates dedicated, secure visiting shifts managed exclusively by female Saudi security officers and religious guides.

Women's Visiting Time Shifts:

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  Morning Shift (Post-Fajr to Dhuhr): From approximately 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
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  Evening / Night Shift (Post-Isha): From approximately 09:30 PM to 12:30 AM Midnight.

Entry Gates & Waiting Areas for Women:

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  Primary Entry Gates: Gate 37 (Bab Uthman ibn Affan) and Gate 32 / 33 (Bab Ali / Bab al-Baqi) located in the North-Eastern sector of the courtyard.
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  Queuing Plaza: Women assemble in the covered northern plaza (near Gates 24–30). The area is equipped with massive automated umbrellas, mist fans, and water dispensers.
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  Batch Grouping by Language & Region: To facilitate smooth crowd direction, marshals frequently group sisters into language-specific holding zones (e.g., Arabic speakers, South Asian / Urdu / Hindi / Bengali, Southeast Asian / Malay / Indonesian, English / European / Turkish).
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  Mothers with Young Children: Strollers and prams are strictly prohibited inside the Rawdah green carpet area. Pram parking bays are available outside Gate 37; assign a family member or ensure infants are carried in a secure baby sling.

To ensure equitable access for millions of global Muslims, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj & Umrah enforces the 365-Day Rawdah Restriction.

How the 365-Day Rule Works:

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  Once a permit is scanned and validated at the gate (or marked as used), the Nusuk database locks your passport/ID number from issuing another Rawdah permit for 365 calendar days.
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  The 365-day countdown is rolling (e.g., if you entered on March 15, 2026, your next permit eligibility opens on March 15, 2027).
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  Crucial Distinction: This 365-day rule applies only to Rawdah (Riyazul Jannah) permits. General entry into Masjid an-Nabawi for the 5 daily prayers, walking in the courtyards, and general ziyarah does not require any permit and has zero restrictions.

Cancellation Protocols (How to Avoid Wasting Your 365-Day Slot):

If your travel plans change, your flight is delayed, or illness strikes, you MUST cancel your permit via the Nusuk app at least 4 hours before the scheduled time slot.

How to Cancel on Nusuk:

1. 1
   Open Nusuk and tap "Permits" on the bottom navigation bar.
2. 2
   Select your active Rawdah permit.
3. 3
   Tap "Cancel Permit" and confirm.
4. 4
   The slot is returned to the public pool, and your passport is immediately unlocked, allowing you to rebook another available date during your trip.

Once your batch is ushered onto the emerald green carpets of Riyazul Jannah, you will have approximately 10 to 15 minutes before marshals gently direct your group toward the exit to accommodate the next awaiting batch. Planning your worship with military precision is vital.

Recommended 15-Minute Spiritual Action Plan:

1. 1
   Minutes 0 to 4: Find a spot on the Green Carpet & Pray 2 Rakat Tahiyyatul Masjid / Nafl.
2. 2
   Minutes 4 to 8: Prolonged Sajdah (Prostration) with heart-wrenching Du'a in your mother tongue.
3. 3
   Minutes 8 to 12: Recite Quranic supplications, Istighfar, and personal Du'as for parents & loved ones.
4. 4
   Minutes 12 to 15: Walk past the Muwaajaha Shareefa, conveying respectful Salam upon Rasulullah (PBUH).

Significant Prophetic Pillars (Ustuwaanat) Inside the Rawdah:

As you stand in the Rawdah, look out for the white marble pillars decorated with gold calligraphy:

1. 1
   Ustuwaanah Aisha (Pillar of Aisha): The location where the Prophet (PBUH) used to lead prayers before the change of Qiblah, identified by Sayyidah Aisha (RA).
2. 2
   Ustuwaanah at-Tawbah (Pillar of Repentance / Abu Lubabah): Where the companion Abu Lubabah (RA) tied himself seeking Allah’s forgiveness until his repentance was accepted.
3. 3
   Ustuwaanah as-Sareer (Pillar of the Bed): Where the Prophet (PBUH) had a small platform made of date-palm leaves for resting during I'tikaf.
4. 4
   Ustuwaanah al-Haras (Pillar of the Guard / Ali ibn Abi Talib): Where Sayyiduna Ali (RA) and companions stood watch before the revelation of Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:67).
5. 5
   Ustuwaanah al-Wufood (Pillar of Delegations): Where the Prophet (PBUH) received foreign tribes and diplomatic emissaries.

Proper Greeting at the Sacred Chamber (Muwaajaha ash-Shareefah):

As you walk past the gold-plated brass enclosure:

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  First Arch (The Prophet PBUH): Lower your voice, face the chamber with utter humility, and say:

«As-salāmu ‘alayka yā Rasūl Allāh, wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh» (Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings).

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  Second Arch (Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RA): Move one step to the right and say:

«As-salāmu ‘alayka yā Abā Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq, wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh».

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  Third Arch (Umar ibn al-Khattab RA): Move one step to the right and say:

«As-salāmu ‘alayka yā ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh».

Pre-Departure Verification Checklist:

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  [ ] Nusuk app installed and updated to the latest version.
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  [ ] Account verified with valid Visa Number and Passport Number.
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  [ ] Active local Saudi SIM or data roaming enabled to receive OTPs.
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  [ ] Permit QR code verified in Nusuk "Permits" tab 24 hours prior.
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  [ ] Physical passport carried to the mosque (marshals spot-check names against QR codes).
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  [ ] Wudu performed before leaving the hotel (ablution facilities outside courtyards can have 20-minute queues).
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  [ ] Modest Islamic attire: Men in clean Thobe/Jubba; Women in non-transparent Abaya and secure Hijab.

Common Nusuk App Errors & How to Resolve Them:

1. 1
   "Invalid Visa Number": Ensure you are entering the 10-digit Saudi Visa Number (starts with 3 or 4) from your official visa PDF, NOT the application reference number.
2. 2
   "No Slots Available / Black Calendar": Keep refreshing the specific day between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM KSA on Fridays or around midnight.
3. 3
   "User Already Has an Active Permit": Check if a previous companion booking or cancelled slot is still processing in the backend. Log out and log back in.
4. 4
   "Bluetooth / Location Error": The Nusuk app requires Location Services (GPS) set to "While Using App" and Bluetooth turned ON to authenticate gate beacons at Masjid an-Nabawi.

For complete hotel recommendations within 200 meters of the Prophet's Mosque Northern and Southern gates, test options in our Makkah & Madinah Hotel Calculator.