10 More Tips for Visiting Masjid an-Nabi

Here they are!

1. Lost a wallet filled with hundreds of riyals, credit cards, how about an allied health practicing license (OT specifically) and cochlear implant & hearing aid batteries for your child?? (yup, 2 days ago-don’t ask me why I was carrying all of this)

Check the Lost & Found Office at Door 30, everything found by honest people end up there, I have the number, not on me though i’ll get that up soon insha’Allah.

2. Want to give sadaqah jareeyah in Madinah Munawarra at the 2nd holiest Masjid?

Donate a wheelchair and register it at the office by Door 25.  Masha’Allah they have lots, but there’s always in need for those busy times, and for better ones due to wear and tear of the old.  Or just buy one of those foldable prayer stools you can get from any store nearby (about 15-20 riyals, maybe you can find it as low as 10 too) and bring it in, and leave without it. My husband told me they are everywhere in the men’s section, but in the woman’s side they are usually all in gathered in one or two locations, you have to look for them. Another thing is copies of Quran in various languages.  MashaAllah in Makkah Mukarramah you can find translations of all kind, anywhere in Masjid al-Haram.  But here at the Prophet’s Mosque they are more reserved to one or two locations as well. Oh, and dawah booklets in various languages they will take as well inshaAllah, review and keep in office 26.  Masha’Allah they have ample supply of these things, but during crunch times it’s not always easy to find.

3. How about ‘needing’ a wheelchair?

No problem, just prove you’re legal here by going to that same office and showing proof-Umrah Visa. They’ll give you one for your entire stay in Madinah to take back & forth to hotel. Free too, masha’Allah.

4.  Want the Ajr for feeding a Fasting person?

Bring Balahh, Dates I mean, especially on Mondays & Thursdays, when many come to break their fasts these days  Bread is also allowed inside, not much of anything else though.

5. Camera Phones now allowed…but in the Office only, not Salah Area 

For about 3 weeks now, Camera phones are allowed for women, but to stay in the office-not salah area. With a catch. Entering through entrance 25, use the door furthest left, the guard will direct you to an office where you will leave your phone in a locked box, name and they will give you a number to retrieve it on your way out. Don’t even try to negotiate with them, they will be more stubborn denying you in the Masjid with it, than your persistence.  (*this is really big because before they didn’t give you an option to leave it anywhere, and women with a camera phone just had to pray out in the courtyard, or pass it to their mahrams in order to get inside-no issue with camera phones in men’s section.*)

6. Lock your strollers

Or at least fold them up. Children fill the courtyard, mashaAllah, and an empty parked stroller can be a very tempting ride for kids who escape their mother’s vision.

7.  Pictures of any kind, even cartoon characters are a big NO. 

No Fulla pictures either! My girls had their backpacks with them with a pic of Fulla, a Muslim verision of Barbie wearing the saudi black jilbaab and black hijab.  Let’s just put it this way..the next day I made sure there were heart stickers on the pics faces. Which to them is acceptable.

8. Classes!

Registered Halaqahs going on 5x/s week for girls of all levels between asr-maghrib, maghrib-isha with adult halaqahs on tajweed & knowledge mornings as well.  You don’t have to be registered to sit by to listen though.  Motivate your kids to sit by the other girls.  Soft spot for new muslims too, so if not registered they might be able to acommodate you in other ways. If no one speaks English they will find one inshaAllah. Don’t feel intimidated though..most do speak it mashaAllah.

9. Offer the ZamZam

There are  always women & kids out on the courtyard.  If you have  a free hand while leaving the haram, then fill an extra cup to deliver it to a random sister (my preference is to an elder, because it can be a challenge to bend over, low enudrance, decreased strength)

10. See a child with a disability?

Don’t stare out of the corner of your eye. Go to them bend over, be at their level say ‘asalaam alaikum’ even though they might be so cognitively delayed they don’t understand the words-words are just words if without meaning anyway. Allah understands you, and this person has feelings probably stronger than your own. Look at his or her mother and say a kind word, maybe share a duaa…not out of sympathy. Give empathy.

ok, that’s 10…for now!

& Allah Knows Best.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at and is filed under Uncatagorized, Sacred Madinah, Knowledge, Tajweed, Haramain, The Ummah . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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15 Responses to “10 More Tips for Visiting Masjid an-Nabi”

  1. naeem Says:
    February 21st, 2008 at

    AA-

    Excellent list sis! Really like the sadaqah jariyah ideas. Masha’Allah.

    But you say that cameras ARE allowed and then you say that you have to leave them with the office. That seems like they are NOT allowed. Which is it?

  2. suhaa Says:
    February 21st, 2008 at

    wa’alaikum asalaam warahmat Allah wabarakatu br.naeem,jazakAllah kheir. your right, i made it sound confusing, i edited it above so i hope its now clearer. camera phones allowed to be stored in the office to the far left of entrance 25 (so sisters should enter through the furthest door on the left). because i am there between maghrib -isha 5xs/week its difficult not to have a phone on me in case my husband needs me or whatever..so although this is a solution for those coming every now and then to drop it off, it is still a problem for regulars at the haram with a camera phone who need to have it on them while inside..

    hope thats a better clarification, and barakAllah feek for your input brother..

  3. Farhana Says:
    February 22nd, 2008 at

    As-salaamu’alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister Suhaa,

    Bi’ithniLlah, another wonderful list.. adds to my desire to be there. Insha’Allah one day.

    If it is possible, can you please tell me how much it is to donate a wheelchair?

    When I was there, I saw many children with disabilities, and begging for money. People say not to give money because you ‘encourage it’, and other reasons, do you have any thoughts or experiences to share? I would really like to hear them.. because if someone comes to me begging and I don’t give, what would I tell Allah?

    Jazaki’Allahu khair

    Wa’alaykum as-salaam
    Lots of Love
    Farhana

  4. suhaa Says:
    February 22nd, 2008 at

    Wa’Alaikum Asalaam Warahmat Allah Wabarakatu my Dearest Sister Farhana,

    May Allah facilitate you to be here. Farhana, a few days ago when I lost my wallet, I had asked about donating money, and because they don’t told me a wheelchair would be great though. I haven’t had the chance to go and find out how much one woud cost, but they are easily found. I hope to go and and get one really soon and when I do I will let you know insha’Allah.

    As far as the beggers, well…5 years ago when I was here on Umrah, I remember there being much more. I, like you don’t have the answer of justifying it infront of Allah when one approaches. Especially if their kids are the one’s that are begging for it. These days by the Haram-in Madinah-there are far and few in between. I think there has been a recent crackdown on them. Because I know for sure that’s what happened in Makkah.

    In Makkah it was really out of control-and many reports, and people said that people were doing this out of a business…and they encouraged pilgrims not to give. They actually diverted them and arrested many of them because many of whom were illegal overstayers here as well were taking advantage of hujjaj or pilgrims coming for umrah’ taking advantage of thie r hearts geared towards the worship of Allah..

    It can actually get dangerous Farhana if you give, because they get aggressive and yell if you don’t give them more..Allah tells us to give to those who ask and those who don’t ask..but those who don’t ask but need are most deserving. This made sense to me.This was very difficult for me to accept really, because of the guilt complex of not giving, i’d resort to making duaa for them if there was a big crowd coming to ask at once. But any single woman or child, if I had it on me, they’d get something. even though, saudi officials discourage this. may Allah accept that from me..

    As far as anyone who comes to me, I give them..but a few times I’ve had women, and young children come to the door of our home and I’v ealso given-clothes, food, money..whatever. Recently though I’ve stopped opening the door and especially because my husband hasn’t been home. This woman used to come at maghrib where my husband would be out at at the masjid for salah. I stopped opening the door because of safety reasons really, (i don’t have a peep hole to see who’s out there) and she was turing it into a habit.

    here in madinah, and in makkah..i assume really all of saudi..some of the most desrving people to give too are the street workers who are there 24/7 cleaning. they don’t ask..they do their job..and they are singles leaving their wives and children back in their countries of bangladesh or other poor countries..there are many other ways to donate here things too, like donation boxes where clothes can be distributed and such..

    ill get back to you farhana about the cost of a wheelchair..

    may Allah reward you for all the good work you do and make you amongst those of the most generous souls in Jannah..i have a feeling thats where you will be inshaAllah :-)

    love u, suhaa

  5. dalioness Says:
    February 22nd, 2008 at

    Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

    Masha’Alah I enjoyed reading this and you have very good ideas masha’Allah tabarak Allah. Keep it up!!

    Also, thank you for visiting my blog although I have not been posting much lately for numerous reasons. One being I rarely have a chance to get online! But I will try to post something soon insha’Allah!!

  6. suhaa Says:
    February 22nd, 2008 at

    wa’alaikum asalaam warahmat Allah wabarakatu sister dalioness, yeah..i really enjoy your posts mashaAllah..jazakAllah kheir for your comments & stopping by…
    barakAllah feeki..

  7. Mona UmIbrahim Says:
    February 22nd, 2008 at

    Assalamu Alaikum warahmatullahi wa barakatuhu Suhaa, these tips and ideas are awesome, jazaki Allahu khair. Alhamdulillah that you found your wallet and stuff!!! Things are so confusing in Makkah and Madinah - it is wonderful that you are there to clear these things up for everyone, mashaAllah. Take care dear.

  8. Farhana Says:
    February 23rd, 2008 at

    As-salaamu’alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my very dear sister Suhaa,

    Oh.. subhan’Allah, you have gone through so much to answer my questions. Jazaki’Allahu khair for all your time, and your advice/thoughts/experience. I’m extremely grateful for every word.

    I suppose I should be happy to hear there aren’t as many begging anymore. I pray those that were arrested, etc. weren’t actually those in need. Yes, I have heard it is a business for some. The whole situation saddens me… and I know it’s not only something that happens in Saudi, but other countries. Your advice is very valuable, and insha’Allah I will use what you have said if ever in this situation.

    I look forward to hearing from you in regards to the wheelchair.

    Thank you so much for the beautiful dua’ Suhaa (your words are heart melting) May Allah Most Merciful shower His infinite blessings upon you, and grant you Jannah ul-Firdos. Ameen.

    I truly love you for the sake of Allah.. and not because we are related..haha (through Adam alayhis salaam)

    Wa’alaykum as-salaam
    Lots of Love
    Farhana

  9. Umm Hibaat Says:
    February 23rd, 2008 at

    Assalaamu Alaykum Sister Suhaa,

    I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVED this post Ma sha Allah. Jazaakillahu khayran.

  10. suhaa Says:
    February 23rd, 2008 at

    asalaam alaikum warahmat Allah wabarakatu to my sincere sisters..mashaAllah..i pray that Allah grants you all Jannah..
    um’ibrahim, things are still confusing for me over here!! :-) so if i can clarify anything for anyone here for jus ta few days..i’ll do it inshaAllah! barakAllah feeki.. (and yes!! all praises to Allah for me finding my wallet.) i know why i lost it..and i think i’m going to explain that in another post inshaAllah!! more than just having dropped it through the bag check..
    hope you and your family are all feeling better..
    may Allah facilitate a visit for you here soon..ameen :-)

    Sr. Farhana, really, there are so many people i’d like to meet face to face..and besides the female companions of Rasullilah,as.. you are definantly one of them, mashaAllah you always inspire people to do good..and this is why i love you to for the sake of Allah..also not because we are related through Adam, as :-)

    Umm’Hibaat,
    it’s funny, i totally whimmed this post too. alhamdulilah you find it beneficial, and i pray that Allah will accept it from me as another deed towards jannah! (firdous prefably!!-but i’ll be happy with any level!) :-)

  11. suhaa Says:
    February 23rd, 2008 at

    um’hibaat..btw, your writings are motivational..mashaAllah may Allah reward you sis..

  12. Umm Ibrahim Says:
    February 24th, 2008 at

    Assalaamu alaikum,
    Jazakillahu khair for this post - I found it really informative masha’Allah but we are looong overdue a visit to Madinah!

    The halaqas you mention, are they all in Arabic??

  13. suhaa Says:
    February 24th, 2008 at

    wa’alaikum asalaam warahmat Allah wabarakatu
    Umm Ibrahim,

    wa’eeyakum. right now i’m not seeing any english halaqas going on, but i am there between maghrib -isha 5times a week, so maybe in the morning. but there are no umrah visas open yet during this time, and soon when it does open i think there will be inshaAllah. i can get more specifics inshaAllah and get back to you on that. for now the haram is for the locals and from visitors on the weekends from nearby gulf countries.. the other night i viewed an elderly woman who could barely see it seemed capture the audience of a bunch of paki/indian sisters reciting quran in a halaqa. tonight there was a young (i would say younger then 25_ doing some sort of fiqh lesson-arabic. sometimes translators are available, but seems like more of a luxury these days. the haram is so different now with the “emptiness” without all the visitors around the world. inshaAllah it will entirely change. so when u are planning to come email me and ill find out specific times and locations inside the haram of halaqas i’m assuming your wanting english.., right?

    :-)

  14. Umm Ibrahim Says:
    February 25th, 2008 at

    Assalaamu alaikum,
    Yes, English. :)
    Empty… wow, it sounds wonderful subhan Allah! I wonder if I could persuade dh to take us one weekend… will have to work on him! Thanks for the info sis.

  15. suhaa Says:
    February 25th, 2008 at

    may Allah facilitate a trip here soon inshaAllah for you and your family.. :-) whether you do or don’t keep me & my family in your duaa pleaseee !
    barakAllah feeki!

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