What is the ruling and virtue of praying in the Rawdah?

The Rawdah is the area between নবী করীম's grave (or originally his house) and his pulpit (minbar) in Masjid al-Nabawi. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) described it as 'a garden from the gardens of Paradise,' indicating its immense spiritual significance. Prayer in this area is one of the most virtuous acts a visitor to মদীনা মুনাওয়ারা can perform, as it combines the virtue of praying in নবী করীম's Mosque (which equals 1,000 সালাতs elsewhere) with the specific blessing of this sacred space.

Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that the হাজী should try to pray two rak'ahs in the Rawdah if possible, make heartfelt dua, and then send salam upon নবী করীম from whatever location they are in the মসজিদ. He emphasized that the virtue of the Rawdah does not mean that সালাতs in other parts of নবী করীম's Mosque are without reward — the entire মসজিদ carries immense virtue. A person who cannot access the Rawdah due to crowds should pray anywhere in the মসজিদ and still earns the multiplied reward.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen warned against several improper behaviors that occur at the Rawdah: pushing and shoving others to reach the area (which is sinful and negates the reward), extending সালাত or দোয়া for an unreasonable time while others wait, touching or wiping the pillars or walls seeking blessings (this has no basis in the Sunnah), and treating the Rawdah visit as more important than the ওয়াজিব সালাতs (some visitors miss the congregational সালাত to sit in the Rawdah, which is misguided).