Virtues of Madinah Sharif
It is mentioned in a Hadith Sharif that, at the entrance of Madinah Munawwarah there are Angels stationed, and as a result, no one residing therein will be afflicted with plague or diseases. Dajjal, who is the greatest Fitnah, will not be able to enter Madinah Sharif due to these Angels.
Another virtue mentioned of Madinah Sharif is of a person who performs 40 Salaah with Takbeer-e-Ula in Masjid-un-Nabawi. Firstly, he will be protected from Adhaab, secondly, he is protected from Jahannam, and thirdly, he will be protected from Nifaaq (hypocrisy). In our hometowns we can achieve the virtue of protection from Nifaaq and Jahannam if we perform Salaah in the Masjid with Takbeer-e-Ula for forty days, yet this can be achieved in just eight days in Madinah Sharif.
If a person performs Salaah at home (with a valid reason such as severe illness), he only receives one reward for that Salaah. If he performs his Salaah in the Masjid of his locality, the reward is multiplied fifty times. If he performs Salaah in the Jamea Masjid, the reward is multiplied one hundred times. To perform Salaah in Baytul Muqaddas, the reward is multiplied by one thousand. If one performs Salaah in Masjidun Nabawi, the reward is multiplied by fifty thousand according to one narration, and in Masjidul Haram in Makkah Sharif, it is multiplied by one hundred thousand.
Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned, “Between my Mimbar and my Qabr is a garden from the gardens of Jannah.” The Ulama have provided different explanations in reference to the garden mentioned herein. Some say, just as Allah’s Rahmah descends on Jannah all the time, likewise Allah’s Rahmah is descending on Riyaadhul Jannah (the area between the Mimbar and Qabr of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) all the time.
Another explanation is, this area is a piece from Jannah and will return to Jannah, just as the Hajr-e-Aswad and Maqaam-e-Ibrahim is from Jannah, and will return to Jannah. If a person is fortunate to perform two Rakaats of Salaah in this area, then there is great hope that as he entered Riyaadhul Jannah in this world, Allah Ta’ala will enter him into Jannah in the Aakhirah.
The third explanation is that a person who makes Ibaadah in this area will be blessed with a piece of Jannah.
In the time of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Masjidun Nabawi consisted of an area just slightly bigger than Riyaadhul Jannah. When the Ottoman Empire extended Masjid-un-Nabawi, they marked off the area that was existent during the era of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
When Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam made Hijrah to Madinah Sharif, for approximately 16-17 months he performed Salaah facing in the direction of Baytul Muqaddas. Thereafter, the command came to turn their direction towards the Ka’bah Sharif. In this way, Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had performed Salaah facing both directions from Riyaadhul Jannah.
In Riyaadhul Jannah, there are three pillars. One is the pillar of Hadrat Aisha Radiallahu Anha; the second pillar is that of Abu Lubabah Radiallahu Anhu, where he had tied himself until he was forgiven by Allah Ta’ala; the third pillar is the pillar of the Wufoodh-the pillar where the delegations met Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam when they came to Madinah Sharif.
The greatest treasure of Madinah Sharif is that we are blessed with the opportunity to visit Masjid-un-Nabawi and send Durood upon Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. It is a great Ni’mah for this Ummah that we are aware of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’s final resting place, as opposed to the unknown Qabrs of the other Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam. We also believe that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is alive in his Qabr.
In many Kitaabs, there is a discussion as to whether the inhabitants of the Qabr are able to hear the living, or not. Majority of the Hanafi scholars believe that they are unable to hear the living, except if Allah Ta’ala wants them to hear. With regards to Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, he listens to our Salaam, and even responds to us.
The manner in which we conduct ourselves in Masjidun Nabawi when sending Durood must be considered. When Hadrat Abdullah Bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu would present his Salaam, he would address Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and say, “Assalamualayka Ayyuhan Nabi Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh!” Thereafter, he would face Hadrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu and say, “Assalaamualayka Yaa Aba Bakri Nis Siddeeq!” And thereafter, he would face Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu, who was his father, and say, “Assalamualayka Yaa Abee!”
We should learn from this that, due to large crowds, it is better and more respectful to make a short Salaam, and continue moving forward. Thereafter, one can stand at the rear with ease, and send as much Durood as his heart desires.
It is mentioned in a Hadith, “The person who visits my Qabr, my intercession is Wajib for him on the Day of Qiyaamah.”
On one occasion, Hadrat Hakim Akhtar Sahib was in Makkah Sharif when news from Pakistan of his wife falling ill reached him. Hadrat decided that it was better for him to return home and made arrangements to do so. However, Hadrat would not leave until he visited Madinah Sharif. He took a taxi and arrived in Madinah Sharif where he only presented his Durood and Salaam, and thereafter left, without performing a single Salaah in Masjid-un-Nabawi.
It is recorded in another narration that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “That person who visits me after my demise, it is as though he has visited me whilst I was alive.” Yet another Hadith states, “That person who had the ability of visiting me yet he didn’t avail of it, this person has certainly been disloyal to me.” All the bounties we enjoy today are due to our Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, yet, despite this, a person doesn’t make an effort to visit Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Discussing the etiquettes of visiting Madinah Sharif, some Ulama have advised that a person who is on his way to Madinah Sharif should read Surah Kauther one thousand times. And when you see the walls of Madinah Sharif, then increase your durood. A person should make dua at this point:
اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُ نَبِيِّكِ، فَاجْعَلْهُ وِقَايَةً لِي مِنَ النَّارِ، وَأَمَانًا مِنَ الْعَذَابِ، وَسُوءِ الْحِسَابِ
“O Allah! This is the Haram of Your Nabi. Make it a means of protection for me from the fire of Jahannam, and safety from punishment, and a means of protection from a difficult reckoning.”
Thereafter, a person should perform Ghusl if possible, and wear one’s best clothes and apply itr.
At this point, one should recite:
بسم الله وعلي ملة رسول الله
رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَلْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ سُلْطَانًا نَصِيرًا
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي، وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَفَضْلِكَ
On entering Masjid-un-Nabawi, the first place a person should make his way towards is the Riyaadul Jannah. After entering the Riyaadhul Jannah, perform two Rakaats of Salaah. Thereafter one should fall into Sajdah and express Shukr to Allah Ta’ala for this opportunity of being in Madinah Sharif, and thereafter, make Dua. On the completion of Dua, one should make his way to the Rowdah-e-Mubaarak and present his Salaam and Durood.
Imaam Malik used to say that the sand of the resting place of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is more valuable than Ka’bah Sharif and the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala. This denotes the greatness and virtue of Madinah Sharif. May Allah Ta’ala grant us all Taufeeq to visit Madinah Sharif and derive the blessings of Madinah Sharif, Ameen!