8 Facts About Riaz Ul Jannah- History & Appointment

Madinah, also known as the City of the Prophet, holds a sacred place in the heart of every Muslim. Steeped in the rich history of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), this revered city is home to Masjid Al-Nabawi—also known as the Prophet’s Mosque—one of the largest and most significant mosques in the world.

Within the walls of Masjid Al-Nabawi lie many sacred sites. These include the blessed resting place of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his pulpit where he would rest after delivering sermons, and the homes of his closest companions, such as Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar. Notable spiritual landmarks like Mehrab-e-Nabawi and Riyaz ul Jannah also reside here.

Among them, Riyaz ul Jannah stands out as the most visited and spiritually significant area. This small yet deeply revered section draws worshippers from every corner of the globe. Known for its unparalleled peace and holiness, it is often crowded with pilgrims hoping to offer prayers within its boundaries. The area holds deep emotional and religious value because of its direct connection to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the early days of Islam. Those fortunate enough to enter and pray within Riyaz ul Jannah often describe a profound sense of peace, spirituality, and closeness to the divine.

This blog will cover 8 facts about Riyaz ul Jannah and how to make an appointment to visit this place. So if you are interested in exploring the history of Riaz ul Jannah, keep reading to explore more.

Riyaz Ul Jannah, also known as Rawdah, is the most promising section of Masjid Al Nabawi. It is situated between the pulpit, also known as minbar, and the sacred chamber of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which is also known as Roza e Rasool. It serves as the focal point of the Prophet’s mosque and the most auspicious spot within the mosque.

The size of Riyaz ul Jannah is approximately 22 meters long and 15 meters wide. Due to its limited capacity, it can accommodate only a few hundred people and becomes frequently congested during the month of Hajj and Ramadan.

As per the history of Riyaz ul Jannah, this blessed area is regarded as a part of Paradise. It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my Hawd (cistern).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.)

There are a total of 8 pillars in Riyaz Ul Jannah, six of which are in the Rawdah region, and the remaining two are situated in the Sacred Chamber. They are believed to indicate the original locations where the palm trees that supported Masjid Al Nabawi’s initial roof were placed. These pillars were constructed during the Ottoman era and are very different from other parts of the mosque.

The following are the 8 pillars:

1. Pillar of repentance.

2. Weeping Pillar.

3. Pillar of Ayesha (R.A).

4. Pillar of delegation.

5. Pillar of the bed.

6. Pillar of the guard.

7. Square pillar of the tomb.

8. Pillar of the night prayer.

There are different times for women to enter Riyaz ul Jannah, and it is not accessible to women during the day hours. Women can enter Riyaz Ul Jannah through the Bab e Makkah, which is gate 37 (Makkah gate), following the prayer of Fajr, Zuhr, and Esha. The timings are 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 9:30 PM to midnight. The Friday timings for women are 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and the evening timings are the same. The remaining times are for men to enter. Men and women cannot visit Riyaz ul Jannah at the same time.

The area of Riyaz ul Jannah is covered with a distinct green carpet, setting it apart from the rest of Masjid al-Nabawi, which is carpeted in red. This visual distinction helps pilgrims easily identify this sacred space within the mosque.

It is believed that, except for the Haram Mosque (Kaaba), the person who offers one prayer at Riyaz ul Jannah will be rewarded with the same rewards as the person who offers a thousand prayers at any other mosque.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Riyaz Ul Jannah is its captivating scent. People visiting the garden often say that the air is filled with a lovely perfume that feels like it's straight from heaven.

Formerly, people were able to visit Riyaz ul Jannah in Madinah once a month. However, this was later reduced to one visit every 45 days, and currently, it has been changed to only one visit per year. This action was taken because the area would become crowded more easily.

The following steps should be taken to confirm your entry into this sacred location:

1. Download the Nusuk Application from the App Store and register to create your account. If you already have an account, simply sign in.
2. After creating an account or logging in, click on the option for praying in the Noble Rawdah and select whether you are praying as a woman or a man.
3. Next, choose your specified time. Visitors are permitted only during a particular time slot and will not be allowed to select more than one. The crowded times are highlighted in red within the app, so please arrange your visit accordingly.
4. After confirming your reservation, you will receive a confirmation code on your phone, which will enable you to enter Riyaz ul Jannah without any difficulties.