Hello friends,
I want to share with you about prayer in Madinah, because for me it is not only ritual, it is part of who I am. Growing up here, religion was always around me – the sound of adhan (Call to Prayer) five times a day, the sight of pilgrims walking in the streets, the feeling of peace when entering the Prophet’s Mosque. For me, Islam is not something separate, it is inside daily life.
🌙 A little about Islam
Islam is built on five pillars:
- Shahada – belief in one God (Allah) and Prophet Muhammad (Peach be upon him) as His messenger.
- Salah – prayer, five times each day.
- Zakat – giving charity to those in need.
- Sawm – fasting in the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj – pilgrimage to Makkah, once in lifetime if possible.
Prayer is second pillar, and it is daily rhythm of Muslim life. In Madinah, this rhythm is very strong – shops close, streets quiet, and people walk to mosque.
🕌 The Prophet’s Mosque
Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, is heart of Madinah. Muslims from all over the world come here, sometimes for Hajj, sometimes for Umrah. To pray inside this mosque is very special – it is said that prayer here is worth more than in other places, except the Kaaba in Makkah.
When I go there, I see women from Indonesia, Turkey, Africa, Europe – all together, side by side. We don’t speak same language, but we share same faith. It make me feel Islam is truly global, connecting hearts.
In the Prophet’s Mosque, there are separate areas for men and women. This is tradition in Saudi, to keep modesty and respect. Women have their own entrances, their own prayer halls, and sometimes special times when they can visit the Rawdah (the area near the Prophet’s tomb).
At first, some visitors feel strange – why we don’t pray all mixed together? But for us, it is normal. It give women privacy, and also make it easier for families. Men go one side, women go other side, and after prayer we meet again outside.
Even in restaurants in Saudi you will see this idea – family areas upstairs, separate from single men. It is part of our culture, and you will notice it everywhere in daily life.
Many people think mosque is only for prayer, but in Saudi it is also social place. Of course, prayer is center. But after prayer, you will see people talking, studying Qur’an (our holy book), greeting each other, sharing news. It is like heartbeat of community.
đź•‹ Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is important part of Islam.
- Hajj is the major pilgrimage, done once in lifetime if you can. It happen only in specific days in Makkah.
- Umrah is smaller pilgrimage, can be done any time of year. Many pilgrims come to Madinah before or after, to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque and send peace upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
So in Madinah, you always see people from everywhere – wearing white clothes of ihram, walking with families, praying with deep emotion.
🌸 My Relationship with Religion
For me, prayer is not only duty, it is comfort. When I feel tired, when life is heavy, I pray and I feel lighter. It is like conversation with Allah, where I can put my worries down.
I remember when I was young girl, maybe 10 years old, my mother took me for the first time to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque. I was nervous, because the mosque was so big, so full of people. We walked inside, and I held her hand tight. When the adhan started, the sound filled the air, and everyone moved together to pray. I looked around and saw thousands of people bowing at same time, and I felt small but also safe. My mother whispered to me, “This is the heart of Islam, and now you are part of it.”
That moment stayed with me. Even now, when I pray, I remember that feeling – of being connected, of being part of something bigger than myself. It is why prayer is not only duty for me, it is comfort, it is memory, it is love.
As mother, I try to teach my children same. I remind them to pray, but I also explain why – that prayer is not punishment, it is gift. Sometimes we pray together at home, sometimes in mosque. I want them to feel same peace I feel.
Religion also guide my choices. When I go to gym, when I cook, when I travel, I remember modesty, kindness, respect. Islam is not only about mosque, it is about how you live every day.
On Fridays, the city change – everyone prepare for Jumu’ah prayer. My husband and I go with our children, and after we visit my mother’s house for dinner. So prayer is spiritual, but also social, bringing family and community together.
Sometimes I think how lucky I am to live here. For many Muslims, visiting Madinah is dream of lifetime. For me, it is daily life. I hope one day you can come, hear the adhan, walk in the mosque, and feel the peace that I feel.
Sending you peace, Rana
