It might be overwhelming when going for Umrah and spending the days in Makkah and Madina. What do you do after performing your Umrah? Say you have another 5 days in Madina. Is there any particular worship to do? Places to visit? I hope the schedule below may help you.

You should prioritise Ibadah (Worship) and use your time wisely to spend as much time as you can in Masjid An-Nabawi. Plan your day around the Salah times.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam) said:

“Prayer in this mosque of mine (Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah) is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except for al-Masjid al-Haram, and prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram is better than a hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 1406, Musnad Ahmad 14694)

Here’s a general schedule of a typical day during your visit in Madina:

Tahajjud and Fajr Salah

• Tahajjud Salah: An optional Salah, frequently prayed by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam) said:

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Tahajjud).”
(Sahih Muslim 1163)

• There is a particular Azan that’s given during Tahajjud time, 1 hour before Fajr.
• Try to get to the Masjid at least 1 hour before Fajr Azan and find a comfortable place to sit.
• Pray Tahajjud Salah, it’s Sunnah to pray 8 Rakah, but do a minimum of 2 at least.
• Make Du’a as it is accepted at this time.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam) said:

“Our Lord, the Blessed and the Superior, comes down every night to the nearest heaven during the last third of the night, and He says: ‘Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?'”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1145, Sahih Muslim 758)

• Prepare for Fajr Salah. If you need to renew your Wudu, there are facilities outside. You will most likely lose your spot and may not be allowed to come back into the Masjid due to crowd control.

Fajr Salah:

• Fajr Prayer: The first Fardh (Obligatory) Salah of the day
• Pray 2 Rakah Sunnah after the Fajr Azan

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam) said:

“The two rakahs (Sunnah) before the Fajr prayer are better than the world and all that it contains.”
(Sahih Muslim 725)

• After Salah: Do recommended Zikr after Fajr (See Fortress of a Muslim for ideas), reciting Qur’an is highly recommended. “Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and the Quran at dawn. Indeed, the recitation of the Quran at dawn is ever witnessed.” (Quran 17:78)

Morning

• Ishraq Prayer (Optional): About 15-20 minutes after sunrise, it is recommended to perform Salat al-Ishraq, an optional prayer.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam) said:

“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, and then prays two rak’ahs, he will have a reward like that of Hajj and Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 586)

• Rest and Breakfast: After spending the early morning in worship, this is a good time to return to your hotel or accommodation for a light breakfast and rest.
• Explore: You may like to go for a short walk around the Masjid, or fulfil other needs.

Zuhr Salah:

• Zuhr Salah: The second of the Fardh (obligatory) Salah of the day
• Preparation: Perform your Wudu, remember to take essentials with you such as sunglasses, a prayer mat if you need and other things you may need particularly.
• Hydration: Keep hydrated, have Zamzam water available at the Masjid.
• Go early: Go to the Masjid at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Optional Salah: You can pray 2 Rakah of Tahiyyatul Masjid.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam) said:

“When one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit down until he prays two rak’ahs.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1163, Sahih Muslim 714)

• Qur’an and Zikr: You can use this time to recite Qur’an and do Zikr.
• Salah: Pray Salah in congregation.
• Zikr and Du’a: Do recommended Zikr after Salah (See Fortress of a Muslim for ideas) and make Du’a.
• Lunch and Rest: After Zuhr, you can return to your hotel or a nearby restaurant for lunch.
• Rest: It is Sunnah to rest/sleep at this time.

Asr Salah:

• Asr Salah: The third of the Fardh (obligatory) Salah of the day
• Preparation: Perform your Wudu, remember to take essentials with you such as sunglasses, a prayer mat if you need and other things you may need particularly such as medication.
• Go early: Go to the Masjid at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Optional Salah: You can pray 2 Rakah of Tahiyyatul Masjid.
• Qur’an and Zikr: You can use this time to recite Qur’an and do Zikr.
• Salah: Pray Salah in congregation.
• Zikr and Du’a: Do recommended Zikr after Salah (See Fortress of a Muslim for ideas) and make Du’a.
• After Salah: After Asr, you can return to your hotel or a nearby restaurant for lunch.
• Extra: You can also use this time do do shopping.

Maghrib Salah:

• Maghrib Salah: The fourth of the Fardh (obligatory) Salah of the day
• Preparation: Perform your Wudu, remember to take essentials with you such as sunglasses, a prayer mat if you need and other things you may need particularly such as medication.
• Go early: Go to the Masjid at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Optional Salah: Praying optional Salah after Asr is Makruh (Disliked).
• Qur’an and Zikr: You can use this time to recite Qur’an and do Zikr.
• Breaking Fast: If you are fasting, will will break your fast here (if it’s Monday or Thursday, a recommended day for voluntary fasting).
• Salah: Pray Salah in congregation.
• Zikr and Du’a: Do recommended Zikr after Salah (See Fortress of a Muslim for ideas) and make Du’a.
• After Salah: After Maghrib you can return to your hotel or use the short time between Maghrib and Esha to engage in worship.
• Zikr, Qur’an, Nafl and Du’a: Use this time to engage in Ibadah. It is recommended to recite Surahs such as Surah Al-Mulk, Surah Al-Waqiah, Surah Sajdah etc. after Maghrib.

Esha Salah:

• Esha Salah: The fifth and final of the Fardh (obligatory) Salah of the day
• Preparation: Perform your Wudu, remember to take essentials with you such as a prayer mat if you need and other things you may need particularly such as medication.
• Go early: Go to the Masjid at least 45 minutes to 1 hour, if you are not there already.
• Optional Salah: You can pray 2 Rakah of Tahiyyatul Masjid.
• Qur’an and Zikr: You can use this time to recite Qur’an and do Zikr.
• Salah: Pray Salah in congregation.
• Zikr and Du’a: Do recommended Zikr after Salah (See Fortress of a Muslim for ideas) and make Du’a.
• After Salah: After Esha, you can return to your hotel or a nearby restaurant for dinner.
• Extra: You can also use this time do do shopping, or go for a general walk around the Masjid.

Late Night

• Relaxation and Reflection: After Isha, many pilgrims take time to relax, socialise with fellow pilgrims, or engage in personal reflection and Zikr. Be mindful not to waste time.
• Rest: Go to sleep early, as is the Sunnah.

Additional Tips:

• Giving Salam: Make sure you add some time in the day to give Salam to the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam. Men can go any time. Women can give Salam from outside the Masjid or when you visit the Riyadhul Jannah.
• Riyadhul Jannah: You will need to book a slot via the Nusuk app.
• Hydration and Rest: Madina can also get quite hot, especially during midday, so it’s essential to stay hydrated and take rest when needed.
• Flexibility: Depending on the crowds and personal circumstances, your schedule might shift.
• Ziyarah: Make time to visit heritage and important sites of Islam such as Masjid Quba, Uhud etc. There are sites near Masjid An-Nabawi that can be found which are walking distance. Here is a list of places to visit in Madina: https://goo.gl/maps/S1VHTK68kJAM81279
• Maximise Time in Worship: The Haram offers an incredible spiritual atmosphere, and it’s recommended to make the most of your time through Nafl Salah, Quran recitation, Zikr and Du’a.