The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced the organized schedule for visiting the Rawdah Al-Sharifah (the area between the Prophet's grave and his pulpit) in the Prophet's Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan 1445 AH. This step comes as part of the ongoing efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to facilitate the journey of visitors and pilgrims, and to ensure they can perform their religious rites in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, especially given the millions of visitors expected during the blessed month.
The importance of the Holy Garden and its historical significance
The Rawdah al-Sharifah (the Noble Garden) holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is not merely a part of the Prophet's Mosque, but the very spot described by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as: “Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” This noble hadith bestows upon the place a special sanctity, making visiting and praying there a goal sought by every Muslim who visits Medina. The Rawdah extends from the Prophet's house (currently the chamber of Aisha, may God be pleased with her) to his pulpit, and is distinguished by its luxurious green carpet, setting it apart from the rest of the mosque's carpets. Throughout history, the Rawdah al-Sharifah has been a focus of attention for caliphs and sultans who have been keen to care for it and expand the Prophet's Mosque around it, while preserving its essential features.
Organizational impact and its importance to visitors
Setting precise visit dates and requiring advance booking through the Nusk app has a significant positive impact both locally and internationally. Locally, this system contributes to efficient crowd management, preventing stampedes and overcrowding that could disrupt the spiritual experience of visitors, while also ensuring the highest standards of safety and security. Internationally, these measures provide visitors from around the world with a clear and convenient mechanism for planning their visits, enhancing their satisfaction and improving their overall experience in the Kingdom. This digital approach reflects part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to develop the Hajj and Umrah sector and provide smart and integrated services for pilgrims.
Visiting schedule during Ramadan
The authority explained that the times were divided to suit the nature of the holy month, with different times allocated for men and women, and adjusted during the last ten days which witness increased demand. The times are as follows:
During the first twenty days of Ramadan:
- Men's timings: Two periods have been set; the first period starts from 2:30 am until Fajr prayer, while the second period starts from 11:30 am until Isha prayer.
- Women's timings: Two periods have also been set; the first period starts from after Fajr prayer until 11:00 AM, and the second period starts from 11:00 PM until 2:00 AM.
During the last ten days of Ramadan:
- Men's timings: The two periods continue as in the first twenty days, from 2:30 am until Fajr prayer, and from 11:30 am until Isha prayer.
- Women's appointments: One period has been set from 11:00 PM until 2:00 AM.
The authority stressed that visiting the Prophet’s Mosque requires obtaining a valid permit through the “Nusk” or “Tawakkalna” application, and called on all visitors to adhere to the times specified in the permit and to comply with the organizational instructions given to them by the staff at the Prophet’s Mosque, in order to ensure smooth movement and facilitate everyone’s access to perform the visit with ease.
