Chapter 9-The Rawlah

Meeting HIM

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Rawlah- What it means

“Rawlah” refers to the sacred area inside the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi) in Madinah, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is buried. It is considered one of the most blessed places in the world, often described as part of Paradise on Earth.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “What is between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).

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Rawlah Visit and Evening in Madinah

There was no time to rest or sleep. Only a brief pause, just a quick breather to gather their thoughts and steady their excitement. They quickly freshened up, washed their faces and prepared themselves for the walk to Rawlah. They got out of the hotel. Every step toward Masjid an-Nabawi felt lighter. They could feel the blessings that awaited.

The walk to the Harram was quick and familiar. But, the path to Rawlah itself was longer. It was located on the other side of where they walked in. Their hearts quickened as they approached the area where many women had already begun queuing, waiting patiently for their turn to enter this sacred space.

They stood along with the crowd. Nazia and Soni discussed about the gates they had entered last time. There was a mismatch. So they decided to ask someone if they were waiting at the right gate. It was only then that they realized they had to enter through Gate 37, the designated entry point for their appointment.They moved swiftly toward the right gate and joined the crowd. There were a bunch of ladies there, some crying, some anxious. A lady standing behind them moved nervously and accidentally pushed them. When Shehnaz gently asked her if she was alright, the woman explained her anxiety— her appointment was at 12 p.m., and she worried she might be denied entry if she arrived late. Shehnaz reassured her, telling her that many of them had the same appointment time and that there would be no problem even if the time had slightly lapsed. The lady still felt uneasy. Thats when they decided to let her move to the front. Soon, they were asked to form 3 lines to go into the Rawlah.

Soon enough, it was their turn. Each scanned their appointment QR code, a modern ritual seamlessly blending with centuries of tradition. They were guided inside calmly, with no rush or chaos—just gentle movement, allowing every sight and sensation to settle deeply in their hearts. Each step forward brought them closer to a history that had been lived centuries ago yet felt incredibly present now. They felt the weight of the generations who had prayed here, who had touched the floors and walls with devotion, and who had revered this sacred space with every fiber of their being.

They were led to a designated spot to perform two rakats of Sunnah, and the strength of the moment was almost overwhelming. Many women nearby were visibly moved, some holding back tears, others closing their eyes, overwhelmed by the thought that the Prophet ﷺ had once walked, taught, and prayed in the very spot where they now stood. It was a distinct feeling—an almost tangible closeness to him.One of the ladies standing next to Shehnaz was in tears, wiping her eyes as it leaked love for the prophet.Infact, They all felt it particularly keenly. The ladies lined up and prayed with all their hearts.

Shehnaz tried deliberately to open her heart and deepen her love for the Rasul ﷺ, brushing aside questions and doubts that had lingered before. This was a space for sincerity and surrender. Nazia and Soni, too, were immersed in awe, their hands rising naturally in duas, seeking blessings, guidance, and the opportunity to grow spiritually. They all prayed again quietly within the sacred space, savoring the moment as if time itself had slowed to allow their devotion to settle.

They walked calmly and in perfect order, one following the other, barefoot on the cool, floor. There was no pushing, no shoving. Every step brought them closer to the Mimber, the very spot where the Prophet ﷺ had once stood to deliver his sermons. The weight of history felt so powerful against their hearts, a feeling almost impossible to put into words.They reached the spot where they were truly close to the Mimber and the area where the Prophet ﷺ rested. Although the women could not see the grave directly, there was an unmistakable sense of nearness. Each of them paused, allowing the moment to sink deeply into their hearts.

Eventually, as expected, they were gently asked to move along, making way for others who awaited their turn. They exited with hearts full yet serene, stepping back into the lively yet respectful atmosphere of the mosque surroundings. Outside, they caught up with Saji, who had been waiting for them patiently. Together, they decided to take a brief walk through the streets surrounding the mosque, exploring and observing, while keeping an eye out for items to bring home to their family or for themselves as mementos.

The streets were vibrant yet calm, filled with the quiet rhythm of city life that seemed to honor the sacredness of the surroundings. They discussed about how THIS was truly the city with the nightlife and compared it with Newyork. They walked freely looking into the stores. Some stores had employed people to pull in the crowd. They found abayas, thobes, silver jewelry, and other treasures. While walking, Shehnaz noticed something that tugged at her heart: there were no cats roaming freely as she had seen on her previous visit. She remembered them wandering without fear, accepted by the environment. Their absence today made her feel a quiet melancholy, a reminder of how things change with time.

After a brief period of shopping, which included abayas for the little girls, some chocolates, and a few medicinal oils—they decided it was time to retire for the evening. The night’s Tahajjud prayers awaited, and the Harram would soon be filled again with worshippers seeking the quiet intimacy of night devotion. They walked back to their hotel, feeling grateful once more for the upgrade that had received that let them be so close to the Harram. Every visit now felt effortless.

Walking back to the hotel was quick. The elevators were the ones that caused them any delay. Even though they had multiple elevators, the time it took for one to open up and take them to their floor was too much. They soon settled into their rooms, hearts heavy with gratitude, they reflected quietly on the day. The serenity of Rawlah, the closeness to the Prophet ﷺ, the gentle streets of Madinah, and the blessings of companionship. Everything aligned perfectly. There was no need for words, their minds and hearts repeated their gratitude to Allah for the ease, guidance, and profound peace they had been allowed to experience in this sacred city.

Tonight, they would rest, but their spirits remained awake, carrying the memories of Rawlah and the blessings of Madinah with them. Later today promised more prayers, more moments of awe, yet tonight belonged entirely to them, a night wrapped in devotion, gratitude, and the quiet joy of being near the House of Allah and the resting place of His beloved Prophet ﷺ.

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