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

The Rawdah is the area between the Prophet's grave (or originally his house) and his pulpit (minbar) in Masjid al-Nabawi. The Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 Madinah can perform, as it combines the virtue of praying in the Prophet's Mosque (which equals 1,000 prayers elsewhere) with the specific blessing of this sacred space.

Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that the pilgrim should try to pray two rak'ahs in the Rawdah if possible, make heartfelt dua, and then send salam upon the Prophet from whatever location they are in the mosque. He emphasized that the virtue of the Rawdah does not mean that prayers in other parts of the Prophet's Mosque are without reward — the entire mosque carries immense virtue. A person who cannot access the Rawdah due to crowds should pray anywhere in the mosque 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 prayer or supplication 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 obligatory prayers (some visitors miss the congregational prayer to sit in the Rawdah, which is misguided).