Written by the Explore Hajj & Umrah Tours team in Mississauga, Ontario. Our company is new, but our leadership has more than 25 years of experience helping pilgrims travel, and this guide answers the questions Canadian pilgrims ask us most. Last updated October 27, 2026. About us
Masjid an-Nabawi, also called the Prophet’s Mosque, is the main mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ built it in the first year after the Hijrah (622 CE). It is the second holiest mosque in Islam, and it holds his grave, the Raudhah and the Green Dome.
Most Canadian pilgrims spend three or four days here as part of Umrah. This guide covers the practical side: how to book the Raudhah, when to pray, what to say as you walk in, and what to pack. You’ll also find the history, in plain English.
| Quick fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Madinah, Saudi Arabia |
| Built | 1 AH (622 CE), by the Prophet ﷺ |
| Buried inside | The Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) |
| Main entrances | About 41, with around 85 doors in total |
| Minarets | 10 |
| Capacity | Over one million at peak times, counting the courtyards |
Check Canada’s travel advice before you book
As of October 22, 2026, the Government of Canada advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia because of the volatile security situation in the region. It also says to avoid all travel to the Riyadh and Dammam airports and to the provinces of Asir, Jazan and Najran. Madinah and Makkah aren’t named in those regional warnings, but the advice covers the whole country.
The decision to travel is yours, and we’d rather you make it with the facts. Read the current advisory on travel.gc.ca, ask your insurer whether your policy still covers you while an advisory is in place, and ask your tour operator how they handle flight changes. The situation can shift quickly, so check again right before you fly.
Who built Masjid an-Nabawi? A short history
The Prophet ﷺ built Masjid an-Nabawi himself, with his companions, soon after reaching Madinah in 1 AH. He bought the plot from two orphan brothers, Sahl and Suhayl, and worked beside the others carrying bricks.
The first mosque was very plain: mud-brick walls, palm trunks for pillars and palm branches for a roof. It was also the centre of community life. People came to learn, to settle disagreements and to meet visiting delegations, and those without a home found shelter there.
As Madinah grew, so did the mosque. Here are the main turning points:
| When | Who | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 7 AH (628 CE) | The Prophet ﷺ | Enlarged after Khaybar for the growing community |
| 29 AH (649 CE) | Uthman ibn Affan | Rebuilt in stone, with stronger columns |
| 88–91 AH (708–711 CE) | Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik | Added the first minarets and brought the Prophet’s ﷺ chamber inside the walls |
| 1848–1861 CE | Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid I | Major rebuild, including much of the calligraphy visitors admire today |
| 1985–1994 CE | King Fahd | Large expansion with new minarets, sliding domes and many more entrances |
| 2010 CE | King Abdullah | 250 retractable umbrellas for the courtyard |
Through all of these changes, the area around the Prophet’s ﷺ chamber and the Raudhah was kept intact.
How many gates does Masjid Nabawi have, and what is the Green Dome?
Masjid Nabawi has about 41 main entrances, which hold around 85 doors in total. Each entrance has a number, so it’s easy to note the one nearest your hotel and walk back to it after prayer.
Here’s what you’ll notice first:
- The Green Dome sits over the Prophet’s ﷺ chamber. The first dome there was built of wood in 1279 CE, and the one standing today was painted green in the 19th century. When people say “the dome” in Madinah, this is the one.
- The gates you’ll hear named most are Bab as-Salam, Bab Jibril, Bab ar-Rahmah and Bab an-Nisa. Many pilgrims use Bab as-Salam when they go to greet the Prophet ﷺ.
- The minarets number 10. The six added during the Saudi expansion are over 100 metres tall.
- The umbrellas are 250 retractable canopies that open over the courtyard, and each shades about 800 people.
- The sliding domes are 27 roof sections over the inner courtyards that open for light and fresh air.
Inside, the floors are marble and the air conditioning is strong, so the ground feels cool even at midday.
How do you visit the Raudhah (Riyad ul Jannah) in Masjid Nabawi?
The Raudhah is the small area between the Prophet’s ﷺ chamber and his minbar, and you now need a booked permit to pray there. The Prophet ﷺ said that the space between his house and his pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 1196).
Look for the green carpet. The rest of the mosque is laid with red, so the Raudhah is easy to spot. It’s the most requested spot in Madinah, so expect a queue and a short time inside.
Here’s how most pilgrims book it:
- Download the Nusuk app and sign in with your passport and visa details.
- Choose a Raudhah slot. Men and women have separate time slots, and the app shows what’s open.
- Arrive at your assigned gate a little early and carry only what you need.
- Follow the staff inside, pray two rakat if there’s room, and make your dua without pushing.
The Raudhah permit is separate from your Umrah permit, so you book it on its own. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also added instant booking and waitlist options for the Raudhah, and its interactive Umrah guide explains the booking steps. Rules and slot windows change, so check Nusuk again just before you fly.
If you can’t get a slot, don’t lose heart. Prayer anywhere in the mosque is still a blessing, and many pilgrims greet the Prophet ﷺ from outside the Raudhah.
What are the prayer times in Masjid an-Nabawi, and is it open 24 hours?
Masjid an-Nabawi is generally open day and night, so you can pray there at any hour. The Raudhah runs on booked slots, and some areas close briefly for cleaning.
Prayer times in Madinah follow the sun, so they move a little every day. There’s no fixed timetable worth memorising. The adhan tells you the time has started, and the iqama comes after a gap that changes with the prayer and the season.
For accurate daily times, use the Nusuk app or a trusted prayer app set to Madinah, and look at the board inside the mosque. Most hotels also put the day’s schedule at reception.
A few habits make the days easier:
- Get there well before the adhan, especially for Fajr and Isha, when the best spots fill early.
- On Fridays, go even earlier. The courtyards and roof often fill an hour or more before the khutbah.
- Carry a small prayer mat or scarf, since staff may send you to the courtyard when the halls are full.
- Leave your shoes in the racks near the gate, and remember your gate number.
What is the dua for entering Masjid an-Nabawi?
The dua for entering Masjid an-Nabawi is the same one you say at any mosque: step in with your right foot and ask Allah to open the doors of His mercy. It’s reported in Sunan Ibn Majah 772 and Sahih Muslim, and it’s short enough to learn before you fly.
Entering:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Bismillah, was-salatu was-salamu ala Rasulillah. Allahumma-ftah li abwaba rahmatik. (In the name of Allah, and peace and blessings on the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy.)
Leaving:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Allahumma inni as’aluka min fadlik. (O Allah, I ask You for Your bounty.)
After you enter, pray two rakat of greeting the mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid) before you sit.
When you go to give salam at the Prophet’s ﷺ chamber, keep your voice low and keep moving so others can pass. Greet the Prophet ﷺ, then Abu Bakr and Umar, and direct your own dua to Allah alone. Staff will ask you not to stop or crowd the area, so it’s easiest to follow their lead.
What should women know before visiting Masjid Nabawi?
Women have their own prayer areas and entrances in Masjid Nabawi, and the Raudhah has separate time slots for women. The women’s sections are mainly on the northern side of the mosque, and staff will guide you at each prayer.
You don’t need a mahram to perform Umrah. The Government of Canada’s travel advice says women of all ages may travel without a male guardian for Hajj or Umrah, and that a notarised letter of no objection is no longer required. You can read it on the travel.gc.ca page for Saudi Arabia.
A question that comes up often is whether a menstruating woman can enter Masjid Nabawi. Scholars differ. Some say she should not stay in a mosque at all, some allow her to pass through when needed, and others are more lenient.
Because the schools of thought vary, ask a scholar you trust before you travel and tell your group guide early so the plan can work around it. In the meantime you can still make dua and dhikr, sit in the courtyard and enjoy the rest of Madinah.
Travelling with family? Agree on a meeting spot outside your gate. Phones are hard to use in a crowd, and a fixed place saves a lot of worry.
What does Masjid Nabawi look like inside, and where should you stay?
The Green Dome and the Raudhah are in the southeastern part of the mosque, and the qibla faces south. Large courtyards wrap around the other sides, and the Baqi cemetery lies just to the east.
Three landmarks will help you find your way:
- The Green Dome is visible from most nearby streets.
- Bab as-Salam and Bab Jibril are on the Prophet’s ﷺ side, closest to the Raudhah.
- Quba Mosque is a short drive south, and Mount Uhud is to the north.
For entrances and gates on a map, the Saudi ministry’s interactive Umrah guide includes maps of both holy mosques.
When you choose a hotel in Madinah, the walk to a gate matters more than the star rating. Ten minutes feels much longer in the heat, and it adds up over five prayers a day. Ask which gate is closest, whether there are enough lifts at peak times, and how easy the walk is for elderly parents.
Most packages also include the Haramain train from Madinah to Makkah, which saves a long road transfer. If you’re still planning the Makkah side, read our guide to the best areas to stay in Makkah for Toronto pilgrims, or browse all our Umrah packages.
What should Canadian pilgrims plan for before visiting Masjid Nabawi?
Much of the planning is the same as for any Umrah trip, but a few points matter more when you’re flying from Toronto or elsewhere in Canada.
- Time difference: Madinah is 7 hours ahead of Toronto during daylight saving time and 8 hours ahead in winter. Sleep on the plane if you can, so you’re awake for your first Fajr.
- Passport: it must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Saudi Arabia, according to the Government of Canada. Some airlines apply stricter rules, so check with yours.
- Vaccines: Saudi health rules for Umrah include meningococcal meningitis and polio, and yellow fever depending on where you’ve travelled from. Read the official Nusuk health guidelines, and book the meningococcal shot at least 10 days before you arrive.
- Weather: summers are extremely hot, often well above 40°C, and heavy rain can occasionally hit between November and February. Pack light cotton, a warm layer for early mornings and shoes that slip on and off.
- Photos: Canadian travel advice notes that photographing holy sites is prohibited. Follow the signs and the staff, and ask before photographing people.
- Stay length: many Canadian groups spend 3 to 4 nights in Madinah, which leaves time for the Raudhah, the daily prayers and a short ziyarah to Quba and Uhud.
- Timing: Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around February 7, so if you plan to go then, read our early booking vs last-minute guide.
- Budget: our Umrah packages total cost breakdown for Canadians shows what’s usually included and what isn’t.
- Checklist: download our free Umrah preparation checklist so nothing gets left behind.
A guide who knows the gates and the Raudhah booking process takes a lot of stress out of the trip, especially for seniors and first-timers. You can see what’s on offer for your dates in our Umrah packages from Toronto.
Masjid an-Nabawi FAQs
Who built Masjid Nabawi?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ built it with his companions in 1 AH (622 CE), soon after the Hijrah to Madinah.
How many gates are there in Masjid Nabawi?
About 41 main entrances, holding around 85 doors in total.
Is Masjid Nabawi open 24 hours?
Yes, it is generally open day and night for prayer. The Raudhah is the exception, since it runs on booked time slots.
Where is the Raudhah in Masjid Nabawi?
It lies between the Prophet’s ﷺ chamber and his minbar, and a green carpet marks it.
Do I need a permit to pray in the Raudhah?
Yes. You book it through the Nusuk app, with separate slots for men and women.
How many minarets does Masjid Nabawi have?
Ten. Six were added in the Saudi expansion and stand over 100 metres tall.
How many people can pray in Masjid Nabawi?
Over one million at peak times, counting the halls, the roof and the courtyards.
How many nights should I spend in Madinah on Umrah?
Most pilgrims stay 3 to 4 nights. That leaves time for the Raudhah, the daily prayers and a visit to Quba and Uhud.
Do women need a mahram for Umrah from Canada?
No. The Government of Canada says women of all ages may travel without a mahram for Umrah.
Is it safe to travel to Madinah right now?
Canada currently advises avoiding non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia, so read the latest travel advice and check your insurance before you book.
Sources
- Saudi Arabia travel advice, Government of Canada (updated October 22, 2026)
- Umrah health requirements, Nusuk (Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1196, the Raudhah
- Sunan Ibn Majah 772, the dua for entering and leaving a mosque
- Gulf News: instant booking and waitlist options for the Raudhah via Nusuk
- Gulf News: Saudi Arabia’s interactive guide for Umrah pilgrims
Planning your visit to Masjid an-Nabawi from Canada
Time in Masjid an-Nabawi is often the calmest part of Umrah. Learn the dua, book your Raudhah slot early, check the latest travel advice, and keep your first days in Madinah unhurried.
If you’d like help with flights, visa support, hotels near the mosque and guidance on the ground, see our Umrah packages from Toronto, or contact us or call +1 (289) 981-9490. We’re happy to answer questions before you book.