Latest Rawdah Visiting Rules and How to Book Your Slot for Umrah

Why visit Rawdah?

Every Umrah pilgrim desires to visit Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah and to offer prayers in Rawdah. Rawdah is the area between the Prophet's ﷺ minbar and tomb—meaning "The Garden." It is a sacred place surrounded by six pillars on the same spots where the original Masjid Al Nabawi columns stood during the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Pilgrims planning to perform Umrah need to book a slot for visiting Rawdah Shareef. Crowd management has led to tighter rules and a booking system that the Saudi authorities have updated with separate timetables for men and women. Slots can be booked from the Nusuk app.

Current timings for visiting Rawdah Shareef

Men – Normal days: 2:00 AM until Fajr adhan, and roughly 11:20 AM until Isha. Men – Fridays: 2:00 AM until Fajr; 9:20 AM – 11:20 AM; and after Jummah prayer until Isha.

Women – Normal days: Right after Fajr until 11:00 AM, and after Isha until 2:00 AM. Women – Fridays: After Fajr until 9:00 AM only (shorter daytime due to Jummah); same night slot after Isha until 2:00 AM.

Entry point and accessibility

Entry is from the southern side, the Makkah Gate 37 area. Staff at Masjid Al Nabawi in green vests provide wheelchairs for elderly or disabled visitors—wave or ask them for assistance.

Once-a-year rule and Instant Track

The Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques requires booking a slot once every 365 days, or using the "Instant Track" option. Instant Track works when you are near the Prophet's Mosque: the app uses your location and may allow booking again after 30 days or sooner when slots open. During peak seasons (Ramadan, school holidays) slots are harder to get; off-season booking is easier.

Step-by-step: How to get a slot on Nusuk

• Download the official Nusuk app from the Android or Apple store—not Eatmarna or any other app. Nusuk is the app that gives access to Rawdah Shareef.
• Sign up with the visa you used to enter Saudi Arabia (Umrah, tourist, or other). Enter your passport number and phone number.
• On the Home screen, scroll to "Prophet's Mosque Services" and tap "Praying in the Noble Rawdah."
• Select your gender and the date. Only allowed slots will appear in green. Book your slot; the permit with a QR code appears instantly. Screenshot it—signal in the mosque courtyard can be weak.
• On the day of your visit, arrive 20–30 minutes early. QR codes are scanned on time; once the previous group leaves, you will be let in. The process takes about three minutes when slots are available.

Quick tips to save your slot

• Try booking at off-peak hours (e.g. around 3 AM local time)—new slots sometimes appear then.
• If slots are greyed out, use "Join Waitlist"; people often cancel at the last minute.
• Women visiting in the night slot should bring a light jacket—it gets chilly after midnight.
• Do not bring large bags; security may not allow them past the first checkpoint.
• Rules can change with crowd levels and the season; check again around Rajab or Ramadan.

Final thoughts

Start booking your Rawdah slot as soon as your Umrah plans are confirmed. Once inside the Rawdah, take time to reflect and pray. If crowds are large, avoid pushing; give space so others can also have the opportunity to visit and pray.