Tawaaf of Quadoom (arrival)

Innovations of Visiting Madinat-ul-Munawwarah

This is included as undertaking journey to the Prophet's Mosque and Masjid ul-Aqsaa - may Allah return it to the Muslims soon - is from the Sunnah and because of the benefits and rewards for this, and people usually visit them before or after making Hajj - and many of them fall into numerous innovations well-known to the scholars, while doing that - so I saw it to be beneficial to include what I have come across from these as a notification and warning and they are: 

132. Journeying to visit the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) `s grave. 

133. Sending requests with the pilgrims and those visiting the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and asking them to convey their salaams to him.

134. Bathing in order to enter Madinat-ul-Munawwarah.

135. Saying upon seeing the walls of al-Madinah: "O Allah this is the Sacred Area of Your Messenger, so make it a protection against the Fire for me and a protection from punishment and any misfortunate accounting."

136. Saying upon entering al-Madinah: "In the name of Allah and upon the religion of.."

137. The retention of the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) grave within his mosque.

138. Visiting the grave of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) before praying in his mosque.

139. Some peoples facing the grave with total humility placing his right hand upon the left as if in prayer - near to the grave or far from it - when entering or leaving the mosque.

140. Making du'aa facing the grave.

141. Going to the grave to make du'aa towards it hoping for an answer.

142. Seeking nearness to Allah (tawassul) by means of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) .

143. Seeking for intercession etc. from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

144. Ibn al Haajj's saying in al Madkhal (1 59) that: "One should not mention with his tongue his needs or need forgiveness of sins when visiting the grave of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) "because he knows his needs already and what is of benefit to him!!

145. His saying also: "There is no difference between his - peace and blessings be upon him - death and his life - as regards his watching over his Ummah and their affairs and intentions, and their regrets and their thoughts!!"

146. Their placing their hands upon the grills around the room containing the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) `s grave to seek blessings. And some of them taking oath upon that.

147. Kissing the tomb or touching it or what surrounds it - pillars and so on.

148. Adopting a particular way for visiting the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his two companions - and a particular way of giving salaam and making du'aa, like the saying of Al-Ghazzaali: "He should stand next to the face of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) with his back to the Qiblah, and face the wall of the tomb.. and say..." mentioning a long salaam, then a long salaat and du'aa - reaching to about three pages.

149. Seeking to pray facing the tomb.

150. Sitting near to the grave in order to recite and make dhikr.

151. Going to the Prophet's grave after every prayer.  

152. Visiting the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 's grave by the people of Madinah every time they enter or leave the mosque.

153. Raising up the voice after prayer saying: "Peace be upon you O Messenger of Allah."

154. Seeking blessings from rainwater which falls down from the Green Dome above the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)`s tomb.

155. Seeking nearness to Allah by eating dates of Saihaan in the `Rawdah' which is between the pulpit and the grave.

156. Cutting off bits of their hair and throwing them into the large chandelier near the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) tomb.

157. Wiping the two brass palm trees that were placed in the mosque to the west of the pulpit.  

158. Making a point of praying in the original part of the mosque and avoiding praying in the front rows which are in the extension made by `Umar and others.

159. Making a point by visitors to Madinah to stay for a whole week in order to pray forty prayers in the Prophet's Mosque - so as to have written for them a security from hypocrisy and from the Fire.  

160. Seeking reward by going to any of the mosques or places in and around Madinah except for the Prophet's Mosque and Qubaa Mosque.

161. Guides instructing groups of pilgrims and leading them in certain du'aas near the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) room or far from it - with raised voices - and the people's repeating in even louder voices.

162. Visiting the graveyard of Baqee' every day and prayer in the Mosque of Faatimah - may Allah be pleased with her.

163. Particularising Yaum ul-Khamees (known to the Christians as Thursday) for visiting the martyrs of Uhud.

164. Affixing pieces of paper to the iron railings on the ground of the martyrs.

165. Seeking blessings by bathing in the pool that used to be by the side of the graves.

166. Walking backwards out of the Prophet's Mosque when leaving for the last time.