How to Book Your Slot for Umrah
Every Umrah pilgrim, regardless of where they are travelling from, dreams of visiting Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah and offering prayers in the Rawdah Shareef. The Rawdah is the sacred area between the minbar and the blessed resting place of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Its name literally means “The Garden” and it is considered one of the most spiritually significant places in Islam.
The Rawdah is surrounded by six historical pillars, standing exactly where the original columns of Masjid Al-Nabawi existed during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ. Because of its importance and limited space, pilgrims travelling through Umrah Packages providers must book a Rawdah visiting slot in advance.
If you’re travelling to Madinah before or after performing Umrah, you already know that visiting the Rawdah and sending salutations at the Prophet’s ﷺ tomb is a top priority. However, due to heavy crowds, not everyone can enter at the same time, which is why Saudi authorities continuously update visiting rules to manage crowd flow smoothly.
Updated Rawdah Booking System (Men & Women Timings)
Saudi authorities have now introduced separate schedules for men and women, and all bookings must be made through the official Nusuk App.
Current Timings for Visiting Rawdah Shareef
Men – Normal Days
- 2:00 AM until Fajr Adhan
- Approximately 11:20 AM until Isha
Men – Fridays
- 2:00 AM until Fajr
- 9:20 AM – 11:20 AM
- After Jumu’ah prayer until Isha
Women – Normal Days
- Right after Fajr until 11:00 AM
- After Isha until 2:00 AM (this late-night slot is usually less crowded)
Women – Fridays
- After Fajr until 9:00 AM
- After Isha until 2:00 AM
Once-a-Year Rule & Instant Track Explained
The Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques allows pilgrims to book one Rawdah visit every 365 days, unless using the Instant Track feature.The Instant Track works only when the pilgrim is physically near Masjid Al-Nabawi. The Nusuk App detects your location and may allow another booking after 30 days or sooner, depending on crowd levels. During Ramadan, school holidays, and peak seasons, availability is limited, while off-season bookings are much easier.
Step-by-Step: How to Book Rawdah Slot on Nusuk App
- Download the official Nusuk App (not Eatmarna or any other app).
- Register using the visa you entered Saudi Arabia with (Umrah, tourist, etc.).
- Enter your passport number and mobile number.
- On the home screen, scroll to “Prophet’s Mosque Services.”
- Tap “Praying in the Noble Rawdah.”
- Select your gender and date (available slots appear in green).
- Confirm your booking. A QR-code permit will appear instantly.
- Screenshot the permit—mobile signals may vary inside the mosque.
- Arrive 20–30 minutes early on the day of your visit.
⏱️ If slots are available, the entire process takes less than 3 minutes.
Quick Tips to Secure Your Slot
- Try booking at odd hours (around 3:00 AM local time)—new slots often appear then.
- If everything is greyed out, tap “Join Waitlist.” Cancellations happen frequently.
- Women using night slots should carry a light jacket—it gets cold after midnight.
- Avoid large bags; security won’t allow them beyond checkpoints.
- Rawdah rules can change again before Rajab or Ramadan, depending on crowds.
⚠️ Important: Rawdah booking is not included in Umrah packages. Pilgrims must book independently via Nusuk.
Final Thoughts
Once you enter the Rawdah, focus fully on prayer and reflection. Pilgrims booking Umrah Packages should attempt Rawdah booking as soon as their travel plans are confirmed. If the area feels crowded, avoid pushing and allow others to pray peacefully as well.
A calm heart and respectful conduct make the experience truly memorable