The Rawdah is the area of the Prophet’s Mosque between his house and his pulpit. He said, peace be upon him, that it is one of the gardens of Paradise. Praying there is one of the most longed for moments of any trip to Madinah, and in recent years it has become the most difficult thing to arrange.
Entry is now managed through timed permits in the Nusuk app. This guide explains how it works and how pilgrims who got in did it.
Nusuk changes its rules and screens often. The steps below are accurate as a guide, but follow what the app shows you on the day.
Before you travel
- Download the Nusuk app and create your account using your passport details.
- Link your visa. Your Umrah or tourist visa should show in your profile.
- Add family members, including children, under the family section so you can book together.
- Turn on notifications and make sure you can log in reliably, including the verification code by email or phone. Do this in the US, not in the hotel lobby.
As part of our packages, we set this up with you before you fly.
Booking a slot
- Open Nusuk and find the Prophet’s Mosque or Rawdah section.
- Choose men or women. The times are completely separate.
- Select a date and time slot that shows availability.
- Confirm the booking for yourself and any family members.
- Download or screenshot the permit with its QR code.
When slots appear
Slots are generally released on a rolling basis about a week or so ahead, and they go within seconds at popular times. Pilgrims on forums describe checking the app repeatedly and catching slots that open when others cancel.
A pilgrim who managed four visits in ten days in Madinah shared what worked for them: checking often, especially late at night and early in the morning Saudi time, and being flexible about the hour.
On the day
- Arrive early. Go to the entry point for your permit’s gender and time.
- Have your QR code ready, with your phone charged. Staff scan it at the entry.
- You will wait in a holding area before entering in groups.
- Once inside, visits are short, often 10 to 15 minutes. Pray two rak’ahs, send salawat on the Prophet, and make your dua.
- Do not push toward the front or a particular carpet. Everyone in the green carpeted area is in the Rawdah.
Women’s times are usually scheduled around specific hours of the day, while men’s times are more often at night. Check the slots available in the app.
If you cannot get a permit
This is common, and it is not a failed trip.
- Keep checking. Cancellations reopen slots, sometimes at odd hours.
- Pray as close as you can. The mosque is full of blessing well beyond the Rawdah.
- Send salam to the Prophet, peace be upon him, at the grave. Visiting the grave and sending salam is separate from the Rawdah and does not need the same permit.
- Give yourself more days in Madinah. The simplest way to improve your chances is more time.
One post on Reddit this year described three women who did not have a permit and were turned away at the scan, and asked for a better alternative. Many feel the same way. For now, the permit is the only way in, so plan for it.
Tips that genuinely help
- Book Madinah for at least four or five nights if the Rawdah matters to you.
- Stay close to the mosque, so you can go when a slot appears at short notice.
- Set up Nusuk before traveling, not after.
- Bring a power bank so your QR code does not die in the queue.
- Check the current rules on how often permits can be booked. They have changed more than once.
If the Rawdah is a priority for your trip, tell us when you request a quote. We will suggest enough nights in Madinah and a hotel close enough to make a short notice slot workable.
