How to Book a Rawdah Appointment on Nusuk (Step by Step)

The Rawdah — the blessed area between the Prophet's ﷺ chamber and his minbar in Masjid an-Nabawī, which he ﷺ called “a garden of the gardens of Paradise” — can only be entered today with a free timed permit booked through Nusuk. Nusuk is Saudi Arabia's official pilgrim platform, operated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This guide walks through the booking step by step, the women's timings, what to do when no slots appear, and the adab once you are inside — so you arrive prepared and unhurried. Permit rules were current at July 2026 — the Nusuk app and on-site signage are the final word on the day.

What is the Rawdah, and why a permit?

Because the Rawdah is small and demand is enormous, entry is managed by timed slots to keep visitors safe and moving. The permit is free — anyone selling “Rawdah access” is charging for something that costs nothing. Men and women have separate hours and gates, and a visit inside typically lasts about 10–15 minutes. The system spreads visitors through the day so that far more people can pray there safely than the space could otherwise hold.

Before you start

• A Nusuk account (register with your details in the app or at nusuk.sa).
• Your passport or iqama number for each person in your group.
• Note that children aged 5 and above generally need their own permit, so add them individually.
• A stable internet connection and a little patience — slots move fast.

Step-by-step booking

1. Open the Nusuk app and sign in (or create an account and verify it with the OTP).
2. Choose the Rawdah / prayer at the Rawdah service for Madinah.
3. Select whether the permit is for a man or a woman — the slots differ.
4. Pick an available date and time. Slots open several days ahead and go within minutes, so check often and be ready to book the moment a suitable one appears.
5. Add each visitor (with passport or iqama), confirm, and save the QR permit — screenshot it in case you have no signal at the gate.

Women's timings & entrances

Women visit the Rawdah in dedicated time bands (commonly overnight and mid-morning) through their own gates — the women's ziyārat assembly is often organised near Gate 25. A woman's permit and booking process are the same in the app; only the timings and entrance differ. If women in your group plan to visit, it is worth choosing a hotel near the women's gates so the walk each time is short. Follow the female staff and signage on the day, as arrangements can change.

No slots available? What to do

• Check at slot-release time. New days open on a rolling basis — log in the moment they appear rather than a few hours later.
• Be flexible on the date and time; overnight and early-morning slots free up more often than peak ones.
• Try again after a cancellation — released permits reappear, sometimes minutes later.
• Don't despair if you miss it. The Rawdah's prayer is a gift, not an obligation — a shorter visit forfeits nothing of your ziyārat, and the salām to the Prophet ﷺ is given regardless.

On the day

Arrive about 30 minutes early at the gate named on your permit, bring the QR code and your ID, and travel light — large bags are not allowed inside. Expect to move with the flow of people and to spend only a short time in the Rawdah itself, so make your intention and du'ā ready in your heart before you enter. Keep your visit brief so the next person can pray where you stood; a calm, unhurried heart matters far more than the number of minutes.

Etiquette in the Rawdah

Pray two rakʿah of nafl if there is space, make du'ā, and present the salām to the Prophet ﷺ and to Abū Bakr and ʿUmar — standing, voice low, hands at rest. Never push, and never ask anything of the buried; du'ā is to Allah alone. Be gentle with those around you, especially the elderly, and let the moment be one of stillness rather than rush. The full manners are in the Madīnah Ziyārat guide.

When you plan the trip, we can help you find a stay near the Central Area and arrange a Madinah ziyārat car. Permit rules were current at July 2026 — the Nusuk app and on-site signage are the final word on the day.

Official sources

The Rawdah permit is issued only through the official Ministry of Hajj and Umrah channels. These are the authoritative platforms — our figures were verified July 2026, but prices, times and rules can change, so confirm the current details directly before you travel:

• Nusuk — the official Ministry platform and app that issues the Rawdah permit.
• Ministry of Hajj and Umrah — the government authority behind the permit system.