VISITING MEDINA When you enter Medina, perform ghusl (ritual purification) before entering or upon entering. Then proceed to the grave of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). Enter the mosque through the Gate of Jibreel عليه السلام. Upon entering, offer salutations to the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family). Stand by the pillar closest to the grave, near the corner, facing the qibla, with your left shoulder towards the grave and your right shoulder facing the minbar (pulpit). This is the position of the Prophet's head. Then say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and He has no partner. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. I bear witness that you are Muhammad, the son of Abdullah. I bear witness that you have conveyed the messages of your Lord عز وجل, advised your community, struggled in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and worshipped Allah سبحانه وتعالى sincerely until certainty (death) came to you. You called towards the path of your Lord عز وجل with wisdom and good exhortation. You fulfilled your obligations, showed compassion to the believers, and were stern against the disbelievers. Allah سبحانه وتعالى raised you to the highest station among the honored. Praise be to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, who saved us through you from polytheism and misguidance. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, send Your blessings upon Muhammad, Your servant, Messenger, Prophet, trustee, confidant, beloved, chosen one, and the best of Your creation. Bestow upon him and elevate his station in Paradise, granting him the praised position that the first and the last will envy. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, indeed, You have said, and Your word is the truth: "And had they, when they wronged themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah سبحانه وتعالى Accepting of Repentance and Merciful." O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I have come to your presence seeking forgiveness, repenting from my sins. O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I seek your intercession before Allah سبحانه وتعالى, your Lord عز وجل and mine, that He may forgive my sins. If you have a personal need or prayer, turn your back to the Prophet’s grave, face the qibla, raise your hands, and ask for your need. It is very likely that your request will be granted, God willing. Then say, while resting your back against the green and slender wall next to the grave, facing the qibla: "O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I have entrusted my affairs to You and turned my back towards the grave of Muhammad, Your servant and Messenger, upon whom be Your blessings and his family. I am facing the qibla that You approved for Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I acknowledge that I have no control over the good I hope for myself, nor the ability to avert the harm I fear upon myself. All affairs rest in Your hands. No one is poorer than me. Truly, I am in need of whatever good You send to me. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, let me return from Your presence with goodness, for there is no one to turn back Your bounty. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I seek refuge in You from having my name replaced, my body altered, or Your blessings removed from me. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, adorn me with piety, beautify me with blessings, envelop me in well-being, and grant me the ability to thank You."