Madinah is the sanctuary of the messenger of Allah(SAW) and house of his immigration.It is also the place of descending inspiration (Al-Wahy). The Messenger of Allah has declared the city a sacred one as Prophet Ibrahim (May Allah's peace and blessing be upon him) declared Makkah sacred.The Holy Prophet (SAW) said; O Allah, that Ibrahim had made Makkah sacred, I declare sacred that which is between its mountains; And He (SAW) said; 'Madinah is sacred between Air and Thaur'.Its fresh herbage is not to be cut, its game should not be molested, nobody should pick up a thing dropped but make public announcement of it.Also, it is not fit for a man to carry the weapons in it for fighting neither is it fit to cut its tree except that one's camel grazes its pasture. The people of Madinah were the neighbours of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and the structures of His sacred mosque and the inhabitants of his country. Their respect and evaluation is obligatory as well as their love and fellowship. The Messenger of Allah warned against doing anything that hurts or harms then He said; 'No one double deals with the people of Madinah but dissolves as salt dissolves in water'. The Holy Prophet prayed for Madinah and its people thus; 'O Allah bless them in their measures and bushels. The city and people of Madinah is cogent to the reverence of the Prophet's Mosque because that is its seat.' The Mosque of the Messenger of Allah in Madinah has a great influence in both our spiritual and socio-political lives. For instance, offering 40 salats in the Prophet's mosque has a great benefit. Anas bin Malik narrated that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: 'Whosoever will offer 40 salats in my Mosque will be saved from punishment and hypocrisy.' Scholars like Ibn Hajar, Mundthir, Bayhaq, Ibn Hibban consider the hadith a sound one.Visitation to this great mosque and staying there for some days for the fulfilment of the dictate of the above-mentioned hadith is highly meritorious. However, as Muslims pilgrims move towards this Holy Mosque in Madinah, it is imperative we make mention of some etiquettes to be observed with the mosque. It is recommended to brush our teeth, make ablution, wear clean clothes and enter the mosque peacefully putting the right foot forward then supplicating; 'In the name of Allah, peace and blessing on the Prophet Muhammad, O Allah, please, forgive my sins and open the doors of your mercy for me.'On entering the mosque, one should offer two rakaat tahiyyatul-masjid and make dua for oneself and the rest of the Muslims around the world. Ibn Taimiyah said that visitation to Prophet's mosque consists of offering two rakaat; tahiyyatul masjid, salutation to Prophet Muhammad and then to AbuBakr and then to Umar and making supplication for Muslims (vol. 26, P 136). One should then proceed in a humble manner to say salutation to the Prophet and the his two closest companions AbuBakr and Umar bn Al-Khattab. The salutation should be in a low voice with lowered eyes. It is forbidden to make sajda (prostration) to the grave of the messenger of Allah. This is due to the saying of our noble Prophet just before his death as narrated by the mother of the believers in Sahihul-Bukhari; He (SAW) said, 'May Allah's curse be on the Jews and the Christians who make prostration to their Prophets'. This is a clear evidence that we should not prostrate to the grave of anybody no matter how highly placed. It is also forbiddien to kiss or put our hands over the sacred chamber to show love for the Prophet. Imam Uhazah said, 'You should stand near the sacred chamber just like you used to stand in front of Prophet Muhammad when he was alive'. The sacred chamber is also not to be circumambulated (i.e. Tawaf). This practice is exclusively for the sacred mosque in Makkah. Finally, the Pilgrims who visit the Prophet's mosque should go out putting the left foot forward making this supplication. 'In the name of Allah, peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad, O Allah grant me your bounties.
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