Places to visit in Madinah A family ziyarat list

What the scholars say about ziyarat in Madinah

The Prophet ﷺ used to go to Masjid Quba every Saturday, sometimes walking and sometimes riding (Sahih al-Bukhari 1193). He also went out to al-Baqi at night and prayed for the people buried there (Sahih Muslim 974). Visiting the Prophet's Mosque, al-Baqi, the martyrs of Uhud and Masjid Quba has a clear basis, and scholars agree on these.

Scholars differ on the other historic sites. IslamQA answer 11669, quoting Shaykh Ibn Baz, says there is no basis for visiting places such as Masjid al-Qiblatain and the Seven Mosques and advises against it. A SeekersGuidance answer, citing the Hanafi principle that things are allowed unless there is evidence otherwise, says visiting historic sites in Madinah is permissible and may be praiseworthy, and suggests two rak'ahs on entering a mosque outside the disliked times. If this matters to you, ask a scholar you trust before you plan the tour.

At any grave, the purpose is to remember death and pray for the dead.

Jannat al-Baqi

Jannat al-Baqi is the main cemetery of Madinah, on the east side of the Prophet's Mosque. Many of the Prophet's ﷺ family and companions are buried here, including most of his wives, Uthman ibn Affan and, according to many historians, his daughter Fatimah.

What to say at the graves

The Prophet ﷺ taught his companions to greet the dead with these words (Sahih Muslim 975):

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَلَاحِقُونَ أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمْ الْعَافِيَةَ

Meaning: "Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of the city, among the believers, and Muslims, and God willing we shall join you. I beg of Allah peace for us and for you."

Source: Sahih Muslim 975. The Arabic and English are as given on sunnah.com.

Opening times and women

We found no official opening times in English. A news photo caption from June 2026 says visitors go in during set hours after Fajr and after Asr, and after Fajr is usually the calmer time. Check the hours at the gate on the day.

Women have generally been able to look in from behind the fence rather than walk inside; ask at the gate what applies on your visit. The schools also differ on women visiting graves. In the Hanafi school, according to the Darul Iftaa answer in our sources, it is permitted for older women and disliked for young women, on condition there is no wailing and no mixing. Other schools hold different views, so ask a scholar you trust.

Al-Baqi is close enough for elderly parents to reach on foot, or by wheelchair from the mosque courtyard.

Masjid al-Ghamamah

This small domed mosque stands a short walk south-west of the Prophet's Mosque. It was first called al-Musalla, the prayer ground, because the Prophet ﷺ led the Eid prayers and the prayer for rain there, according to Visit Saudi and Arab News. It is the easiest stop of all for elderly parents. Whether you can go inside outside prayer times varies, so treat it as a stop you may see from outside.

Masjid Quba

Masjid Quba is the first mosque built in Islam, founded when the Prophet ﷺ arrived from Makkah during the Hijrah. Many commentators link it to the verse about "a mosque founded on piety from the first day" in Surah al-Tawbah (9:108).

The reward of praying at Quba

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the Quba' Mosque and offers one prayer therein, will have a reward like that for 'Umrah." This is in Sunan Ibn Majah 1412, graded hasan by Darussalam on sunnah.com.

Following the Prophet's ﷺ habit, many people go on a Saturday, so Saturday mornings can be busier. Any day is fine.

Getting there

Go by car or taxi, or walk the Quba walking trail, a wide pedestrian route of about 3 km between the Prophet's Mosque and Masjid Quba, according to the Visit Madinah site. If you walk, go early in the morning or after Asr in the cooler months, and carry water. Women have their own prayer area; follow the signs for the women's entrance when you arrive.

Quba is the one Madinah visit we suggest for every family, elderly parents included.

Masjid al-Qiblatain

The Mosque of the Two Qiblahs is where, according to the well-known reports, the companions were praying towards Jerusalem when news came that the qiblah had changed to the Kaaba, and they turned during the prayer. The change of qiblah is in Surah al-Baqarah (2:144).

On 06/10/2025 Saudi Arabia's Pilgrim Experience Program (pep.gov.sa) reported that King Salman directed the mosque to stay open 24 hours a day. It is a short stop on most tours, often paired with the Seven Mosques.

Mount Uhud and the martyrs' cemetery

Uhud is the large mountain north of the city where the Battle of Uhud was fought in the third year after the Hijrah. Many companions were killed, including the Prophet's ﷺ uncle Hamzah, who is buried in the martyrs' cemetery at the foot of the mountain. Facing it is a small hill, Jabal al-Rumat, where the archers were posted. The Qur'an speaks about the battle in Surah Al Imran (3:121-175).

When Uhud came into view, the Prophet ﷺ said, "This is a mountain that loves us and is loved by us" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4084).

At the cemetery you can greet the dead with the words from Sahih Muslim above, then explain the battle to your children with the archers' hill in front of you. Access to the cemetery fence and the hill can change, so follow the barriers on the day. There is little shade, so go in the morning.

The Seven Mosques and the Trench

This group of small mosques on the north-west side of Madinah, below Mount Sala, stands where the Muslims dug a trench to defend the city in the Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq, also called al-Ahzab). The best known is Masjid al-Fath. Surah al-Ahzab (33:9-27) describes the siege. Some of the original small mosques have been replaced or joined. It is a quick stop near Qiblatain.

The date market and date farms

Madinah is known for its dates, above all Ajwa. The Prophet ﷺ said, "He who eats seven 'Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5445). The central dates market near the Prophet's Mosque sells many kinds. Some farms outside the city welcome visitors in the harvest season; ask us which ones are open on your dates.

Taste before you buy and compare a few shops. Check your airline's baggage rules and your home country's customs rules before buying large boxes.

Museums and the Quran Printing Complex

Dar Al Madinah Museum is a private museum of the city's history, with models of the Prophet's Mosque through the ages. It is indoors, so it suits a hot afternoon. Hours and ticket prices change, so check them on the day.

The King Fahd Quran Printing Complex prints copies of the Qur'an given out across the world. News reports show official group visits, but we haven't found a public booking route for ordinary pilgrims, so don't plan your day around it.

A half-day route for families

Jannat al-Baqi and Masjid al-Ghamamah fit any morning after Fajr, on foot.

With elderly parents or children

If your parents can manage only two stops, choose Quba and Uhud. Go in the morning, be back for Dhuhr, and keep afternoons for rest. The path to al-Baqi can be busy after Fajr, so a wheelchair helps. If a parent uses a folding wheelchair, tell us when you book so we arrange a vehicle with room for it. Our guide to Umrah with elderly parents has more.

For children, tell the story before each stop: the Hijrah at Quba, the archers at Uhud, the trench at the Seven Mosques. Put a card with your phone number and hotel name in each child's pocket. See Umrah with kids.

How Maqam e Haram helps

Message our team on WhatsApp with your preferred day, the number of people and any wheelchair needs. We arrange a car for your family from the hotel, follow the route above or your own list of stops, and get you back before Dhuhr. Ask us for today's price.

Our team on the ground in Madinah plans the tour around prayer times and your Rawdah slot, checks what is open on your dates, and stays on WhatsApp throughout. For a full plan with hotels, the Makkah to Madinah transfer and ziyarat in both cities, see our family Umrah packages, or book the ziyarat tour on its own.

WhatsApp or call +92 309 9022120, or email info@maqameharam.com.

Questions and answers

Related pages

• Ziyarat toursBook a private ziyarat car in Madinah or Makkah.
• Places to visit in MakkahHira, Thawr, Masjid Aisha and the Hajj sites.
• Rawdah bookingHow to get a Rawdah slot.
• Family Umrah packagesHotels, transport and ziyarat in one plan.
• Hotels in Makkah and MadinahChoosing a hotel for your family.
• Makkah to Madinah transportCar, van or train.