Though it is not a pillar of Haj or `Umrah to pay visit to the Prophet's Mosque, it is one of the most recommended acts that should be performed by pilgrims. Moreover, it is commendable act at every time of the whole year to pay such visit before or after the time of Haj as the Prophet said: (Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Apostle , and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, "Mosque of Jerusalem."[1]).

This is for the many times reward of the prophet's mosque. Bukhari and Muslim narrated on the authority of Abu-Hurairah that the prophet said: (One prayer in my Mosque is better than one thousand prayers in any other mosque excepting Al-Masjid-AI-Haram.[2]").

The mosque founded on piety is the prophet's Moaque is. This is based on the narration vited by Abu-Sa`id Al-Khudri where he stated: I went to the prophet while he was at one of his wives' rooms and asked: O Messenger of Allah! Which of the two mosques was founded on piety? The prophet grasped some pebbles in his hand, then he threw them to the ground (indication to confirmation) and said: it is this mosque. i.e. the prophet's mosque.[3])

An-Nawawi comments on this Hadith saying: this is a decisive confirmationof the prophet that his mosque is the one founded on piety as mentioned in the Quran and some exegetes cited that it is Quba' mosque[4].

Summary of the manners of paying visit to the prophet's mosque:

1-    on the way, the pilgrim should invoke Allah for the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and recall the great standing of Medina and that it ranks second to Mecca as to the best spots worldwide according to some scholars and the best ever according to some other scholars.

2-    On reaching the door of the prophet's mosque, he should enter by his right leg and say: "In the name of Allah, greetings to the messenger of Allah. O Allah! Forgive my sins and let the doors of Your mercy[5] opened continuously for me. O Allah the Mighty! I seek refuge in You, in Your Holly face and Your old sovereignty from the outcast Satan[6]"[7] as the same in other mosques.

3-    Praying two units as greeting to the prophet's mosque. It is recommended to be offered in Rawdah (area between the Prophet’s pulpit and grave) with least harm to others. The prophet said: (Between my house and the pulpit there is a garden of the gardens of paradise and my pulpit is on my fountain tank "i.e. Al-Kauthar"[8]) and therein he should invoke Allah for the advantages of both present and after life.

4-    Observance of performing the obligatory prayers at its due time in the first rows even if outside the Rawdah as the prophet said: (If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and Isha prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there[9]). This speech was directed to the companions at that time though they already perform the prayers at the prophet's mosque. Accordingly, the reward for the being at the first row, even outside the Rawdah, is more than second or the third or else inside the Rawdah. This is demonstrated by the narration of Al-`Erbad ibn Saryah that "the prophet invoked Allah's mercy thrice for those standing at the first row in prayers and one for the second row[10]". At another narration "the prophet used to ask Allh's forgiveness thrice for the first row and one for the second[11]".

5-    After praying, he should pay a visit to the grave of the prophet Muhammad and that of his two companions Abu-Bakr and `Umar. He should face the grave of the prophet recalling the standing of the prophet and preferably act as follows;

-        pay greetings to the prophet saying" greetings be to you, O Messenger of Allah, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you"

-        Invoke Allah to the prophet Muhammad in whatever formula, like "o Allah! Send your prayers upon Muhammad and his offspring as You sent Your prayers upon Abraham and the offspring of Abraham as You are All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious. O Allah! Send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the offspring of Muhammad as You sent Your blessings upon Abram And the offspring of Abram as You are All-praiseworthy, All-Glorious"

-        It is permissible to him to follows it by saying: O Messenger of Allah! I testify that you have conveyed the message, i.e. Islam, paid the trust, advised the Muslim nation and strove properly in the cause of Allah. Or, any other words indicating the gratitude to the messenger of Allah Muhammad.

-        Steps rights few steps and greet the companion abu-Bukr As-Sidiq saying: greetings be to you, O Abu-Bakr, the close to the prophet and the second person with him in the cave. May Allah reward you the good for the nation of Islam.

-        Steps right few steps again and greet `Umar ibn Al-Khattab saying: greetings be upon you, O `Umar by whom Allah granted His might upon Muslims. May Allah reward you the good for the nation of Islam. He should invoke Allah for Abu-Bakr and `Umar "may Allah be pleased with them both".

Note:

Ibn `Umar used to say "greetings to you, O Messenger of Allah! Greetings to you, O Abu-Bakr! Greetings to you, O my father! Then, he leaves[12]". Accordingly, there is no blame if the pilgrim could not memorize these wordings we mentioned above, however; it is permissible for him to perform in any words he perfects.

Note:

-        It is abominable for pilgrims to raise their voices at the grave of the prophet by greeting as it contradicts the condition of politeness to the prophet. Allah, Almighty, says: (O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.), Al-Hujurat, 2.

-         It is not legal for the visitor to face the grave of the prophet on invoking Allah, rather, he should face the Qibla (Ka`bah), praise and glorify Allah, invoke Allah for him self and his parents and Muslims. It is not permissible to ask the prophet to relieve our distress and grant us our requests or else as it is sought only from Allah, Alnighty.

-         The visitor should be keen to perform the five obligatory prayers at the prophet's mosque and to give much of remembrance to Allah, supplications and supererogatory prayers for gaining the ample reward from Allah, Almighty.

Reference: book "Haj and `Umrah, rulings and experiences" by Dr. Ragheb El-Sergani