Riaz ul Jannah – also written Riyazul Jannah or Riyaz-ul-Jannah, and commonly called the Rawdah or Rawdah Sharif — is a small, marked-off area inside Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. It sits between the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ former home, now his tomb chamber beneath the Green Dome, and his mimbar (pulpit). It is one of the most visited and most requested spots for any pilgrim performing Umrah, Hajj, or a general Madinah Ziyarat trip, and entry today requires a permit booked through the official Nusuk app.

This guide explains what Riaz ul Jannah is, why it matters, how to book a visit, what to expect once you’re inside, and how it fits into a wider Madinah itinerary.

Table of Contents

Where Is Riyazul Jannah Located in Masjid an-Nabawi?

Riaz ul Jannah is located inside the original core of Masjid an-Nabawi, close to the Green Dome that marks the Prophet’s ﷺ tomb chamber. Visitors inside the mosque can usually recognize the area by its distinct light-colored carpet and decorative pillars, which contrast with the red carpet used throughout the rest of the mosque. It is a relatively small space compared to the size of the mosque as a whole, which is part of why access needs to be managed through timed entry.

The Religious and Historical Significance

According to a well-known hadith found in the authentic collections, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described this space as “a garden from the gardens of Paradise” (“Rawdah” itself means “garden” in Arabic). This is the basis for the area’s name and its status as one of the most spiritually significant spots a visitor can pray in during a trip to Madinah.

Historically, the space corresponds to part of the area between the Prophet’s ﷺ house and the place where he delivered sermons and led prayers in the early mosque. As Masjid an-Nabawi was expanded over the centuries by successive Islamic rulers, this original core – including the Rawdah – was preserved and enclosed within the much larger structure that stands today. The Prophet ﷺ, along with the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab, are buried in the adjoining chamber beneath the Green Dome.

Because of this history, many pilgrims consider praying two rak’ahs in the Rawdah, and sending salutations near the Prophet’s ﷺ resting place, among the most meaningful moments of their entire Umrah or Hajj journey.

How to Get a Permit to Visit Riyaz ul Jannah (Nusuk App)

Entry to Riyaz ul Jannah is managed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah through the Nusuk app, the official platform for Umrah, Hajj, and mosque-visit permits. A permit is required to enter the Rawdah specifically — entry to the rest of Masjid an-Nabawi does not require this permit.

General steps to book a Rawdah visit:

Download the Nusuk app (available on the App Store and Google Play) and create an account.
Register your details, which are typically linked to your Umrah or visit visa.
Inside the app, look for the Rawdah / Riyaz ul Jannah booking section (sometimes listed under Prophet’s Mosque services).
Select your gender, since men and women are given separate entry slots.
Choose an available date and time slot. Slots can fill quickly, especially during Ramadan, peak Umrah season, and the Hajj period, so it helps to check the app regularly rather than waiting until the last few days of your trip.
Once confirmed, a QR code permit appears in the app — this is what you will present at the mosque.

Important notes:

Booking rules, available time slots, and eligibility criteria have changed more than once in recent years, including the introduction of instant-booking and waitlist options in addition to scheduled slots. Always check the current process inside the Nusuk app itself before your trip, since this is the only official source.
Arrive at the mosque courtyard well before your booked time, as the entry queue leading toward the Rawdah can take time to move through, particularly during busy periods.
Carry a valid ID or passport along with your digital permit.

Visiting Rules and What to Expect

Because Riyaz ul Jannah is a small space that receives constant demand, visits are generally short and structured to allow as many pilgrims as possible to pray there:

Security and mosque staff direct the flow of visitors and may ask you to keep moving once you have prayed, out of consideration for others waiting.
Modest dress and respectful, quiet behavior are expected, as in the rest of Masjid an-Nabawi.
Photography rules inside the mosque should be checked and respected on-site, as devices and video recording are often restricted in sensitive areas.
Rules around bringing young children can vary and are worth checking in the app or with mosque staff before your visit, since capacity and safety considerations apply to this specific area.
If you are traveling with elderly or mobility-limited family members, mosque staff can often guide you toward accessible routes — but a permit is still required for this area.

Riyaz ul Jannah for Women

Women’s access to Riyaz ul Jannah is managed through separate time slots from men’s, bookable in the same Nusuk app. Entry points and queuing areas for women are typically distinct from the men’s entrance, so it is worth confirming the correct gate for your slot when you arrive at the mosque, as this can be signposted differently depending on the entrance you use.

How Riyaz ul Jannah Fits Into a Wider Madinah Ziyarat Trip

For most visitors, a Riyaz ul Jannah visit is one part — often the most anticipated part — of a broader Madinah Ziyarat itinerary that can include Jannat al-Baqi, Quba Mosque, the Qiblatain Mosque, and the historical sites around Uhud. Because Rawdah entry is time-slotted, many pilgrims plan the rest of their day around their booked slot rather than the other way around: visiting nearby sites before or after their Rawdah appointment.

This is where private transportation can be genuinely useful. A Nusuk time slot doesn’t wait for a shared shuttle or a public transport schedule, so having a private driver who can adjust pickup and drop-off times around your Rawdah appointment — and then move on to other Ziyarat locations at your own pace — takes one layer of stress out of the day, particularly for families, elderly travelers, and groups managing multiple slots or members. Madinah Ziyarat Taxi offers hotel pickup and drop-off along with private, multi-stop Ziyarat trips built around a visitor’s own schedule, including flexibility for a Rawdah appointment.

Practical Tips for Visitors

Book your Nusuk permit as early as possible once your visa or Umrah booking is confirmed, since slots are limited and demand is high, especially around Ramadan and Hajj season.
Keep your phone charged and the QR code accessible, or take a screenshot as a backup.
Wear comfortable clothing suitable for standing and walking in a crowd, and carry water, particularly in the summer heat.
Plan realistic timing: the walk to and queue for the Rawdah entrance, plus a short prayer time, can take longer than expected, so avoid scheduling something else immediately before your slot.
If your permit slot doesn’t work with the rest of your itinerary, private transportation can offer more flexibility than fixed-schedule group transport.

Visitors looking for private transportation around a Rawdah appointment or a wider Madinah Ziyarat trip can contact Madinah Ziyarat Taxi through WhatsApp at +966 57 4915 372 to ask about hotel pickup, vehicle options, and a customized itinerary.

FAQs

1. What is Riaz ul Jannah?

Riaz ul Jannah (Riyazul Jannah), also called the Rawdah, is the area inside Masjid an-Nabawi between the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ tomb chamber and his mimbar, described in a well-known hadith as “a garden from the gardens of Paradise.”

2. Where exactly is Riyazul Jannah located?

It is inside the original core of Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, near the Green Dome, and is recognizable by its distinct carpet and pillars compared to the rest of the mosque.

3. Do I need a permit to visit Riyaz ul Jannah?

Yes. Entry to the Rawdah specifically requires a permit booked through the official Nusuk app, even though entry to the rest of Masjid an-Nabawi does not.

4. How do I book a Rawdah permit?

Download the Nusuk app, create an account, select the Rawdah/Riyaz ul Jannah booking option, choose your gender and an available time slot, and present the resulting QR code permit at the mosque.

5. Is Riyaz ul Jannah open to women?

Yes, women can visit through separate time slots and entry points booked in the same Nusuk app.

6. How long can I stay inside Riyaz ul Jannah?

Visits are generally kept short so more pilgrims can be accommodated, and mosque staff manage the flow of visitors. Exact durations are not fixed and can vary by crowd levels.

7. Can children visit Riyaz ul Jannah?

Rules around young children can vary and have changed over time, so it’s best to check current guidance in the Nusuk app or with mosque staff before your visit.

8. How many times can I visit Riyaz ul Jannah?

Booking rules around repeat visits have changed more than once in recent years, including options for multiple visits subject to capacity. Check the Nusuk app for the current policy at the time of your trip.

9. What should I wear to visit Riyaz ul Jannah?

Modest, respectful clothing appropriate for prayer in a mosque, in line with general Masjid an-Nabawi dress expectations.

10. Can I take photos inside Riyaz ul Jannah?

Photography and filming rules should be checked on-site, as they can be restricted in this area to preserve a respectful atmosphere.

11. What is the difference between Riyaz ul Jannah and the Green Dome?

The Green Dome marks the location of the Prophet’s ﷺ tomb chamber above ground; Riyaz ul Jannah is the adjoining prayer area between that chamber and the mimbar.

12. Can I visit Riyaz ul Jannah as part of a wider Madinah Ziyarat tour?

Yes – many visitors combine their Rawdah appointment with visits to other Madinah sites such as Jannat al-Baqi, Quba Mosque, and Uhud, often arranging private transportation around their booked time slot.

13. Can a private taxi help with a Rawdah-timed itinerary?

Yes. Because Rawdah slots are time-specific, private transportation such as Madinah Ziyarat Taxi can offer more flexible pickup and drop-off timing than fixed shuttle schedules, which can help visitors manage their day around their permit.

14. How do I contact Madinah Ziyarat Taxi to arrange transportation?

Visitors can reach Madinah Ziyarat Taxi via WhatsApp at +966 57 4915 372 to ask about hotel pickup, vehicle options, and a customized Ziyarat itinerary.