Ziyarah of the Blessed Hair of Sayyiduna RasoolAllah ﷺ is an immense honour and a precious opportunity. Every arrangement should therefore be made with the utmost Adab, cleanliness, dignity and respect.
This should never be treated as an ordinary event or viewing. The purpose of these guidelines is to create an environment in which those attending can recognise the magnitude of the opportunity granted to them and present themselves with love, humility and complete attention.
Preparation of the Masjid
- 1The Masjid, particularly the area where Ziyarah will take place and the route through which the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ will pass, should be thoroughly clean and respectfully prepared.
- 2The area may be made fragrant beforehand with good quality Oud, Bakhoor or another suitable fragrance.
- 3The entrance and entire route used for the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ must be clear of shoes and anything inappropriate.
- 4A small number of designated responsible brothers should respectfully receive the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ upon arrival and escort it to the prepared place.
- 5Arrangements should be made for a set amount of Durood Shareef to be recited before or during the Mehfil and presented as a Tohfa, Shukrana and expression of love.
- 6An ‘Alim or suitably knowledgeable person should explain the significance and Adab of Ziyarah before it begins. The short Ziyarah Announcement should then be read clearly to everyone present.
Preparing Those Attending
- 7Everyone should be encouraged to attend in a state of Ghusl and Wudu. At the very least, Wudu should be maintained when presenting oneself for Ziyarah.
- 8Everyone must be respectfully and properly dressed. Heads must be covered, buttons appropriately closed, and the chest and body properly covered.
- 9‘Itr should be applied before presenting oneself for Ziyarah where possible.
- 10Phones must be put away before Ziyarah begins. There should be no photographs, videos or recordings of the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ.
- 11Attendees should be encouraged to spend their waiting time reciting Durood Shareef rather than engaging in unnecessary conversation.
Organisation of the Ziyarah
- 12A single, orderly line should be formed. There should be no rushing, pushing, crowding or unnecessary conversation.
- 13Durood Shareef should continue quietly or in a moderate collective tone throughout the Ziyarah.
- 14Organisers should ensure that sufficient time is given for a person to look with love, recite Salawat and make sincere Du‘a, while also allowing the Ziyarah to proceed calmly for everyone.
- 15The atmosphere should remain one of humility and reflection. Those attending should be reminded that this is a precious opportunity for Du‘a and seeking acceptance from Allah عز وجل.
The Golden Rule — Never Turn Your Back
At no point should anyone turn their back towards the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ.
The Ziyarah area and exit route should therefore be planned beforehand so that attendees can respectfully move away while continuing to face the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ.
Responsible Brothers & Security
Responsible brothers should be positioned appropriately around the Ziyarah area, particularly near the Blessed Tabarukaat and along the exit route.
Their role is not simply crowd control, but to help everyone maintain the Adab of Ziyarah.
As someone completes their Ziyarah, a responsible brother should quietly guide them to step backwards and move away without turning their back. Where necessary, they may gently guide the person by the arm while giving a quiet instruction such as, “Please step backwards.”
This should always be done gently, calmly and respectfully.
People can naturally become emotional, overwhelmed or momentarily confused during Ziyarah. The responsible brothers should therefore show patience and understanding while helping them maintain the required Adab.
The public announcement should make this arrangement clear beforehand so attendees understand that any guidance they receive is solely to assist them and preserve the Adab of the Blessed Tabarukaat.
No Phones — No Photography — No Videos
There should be no photographs, videos or recordings during Ziyarah.
Organisers and responsible brothers should politely but firmly ensure that phones remain put away.
This extraordinary opportunity should not become a moment for cameras, social media or worldly distraction.
Be present. Look with love. Recite Durood Shareef. Make Du‘a.
After Ziyarah
- 16Once a person's Ziyarah is complete, they should respectfully make way for the next person so that everyone is given their turn. Where the number of those attending allows it, a person may return for a second Ziyarah; there is no issue in this, provided it is done with full Adab and the correct intention.
- 17The announced Ziyarah period should be respected. Special or private Ziyarah should not be expected for latecomers once Ziyarah has concluded.
- 18The Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ should depart with the same dignity, clear route and respectful arrangements with which it was received.
Remember the Honour Before You
Imam Qadi ‘Iyad رحمه الله states in al-Shifa:
وَلَا خِلَافَ أَنَّ مَوْضِعَ قَبْرِهِ أَفْضَلُ بِقَاعِ الْأَرْضِ
“However, there is no dispute that the place of his grave is the best place on earth.”
— Qadi ‘Iyad, Al-Shifa, translated by Aisha Bewley, Diwan Press, revised edition 2011, p. 271
Imam al-Samhudi رحمه الله records that the report of consensus concerning the blessed place which embraces the sacred body of Sayyiduna RasoolAllah ﷺ was transmitted by Qadi ‘Iyad رحمه الله and others, with the explicit statement of its superiority over the blessed Ka‘bah.
قد انعقد الإجماع على تفضيل ما ضم الأعضاء الشريفة، حتى على الكعبة المنيفة
— Imam al-Samhudi, Wafa al-Wafa bi-Akhbar Dar al-Mustafa, Bab 2, Fasl 1; Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1st edition 1419 AH, vol. 1, p. 31
Hadrat Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari رحمه الله states:
“the piece of land on which rests the blessed body of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) is the most virtuous of lands on the face of this earth by the consensus (ijma‘) of all the scholars…even more virtuous than Ka‘ba…and the thrown (arsh)”
— Hadrat Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari رحمه الله, Manasik, pp. 531–532, as translated by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Then reflect upon the honour Allah عز وجل has granted:
Before those making Ziyarah is a Blessed Hair from the blessed body of Sayyiduna RasoolAllah ﷺ.
What then should our state of Adab, love, humility and gratitude be when Allah عز وجل grants such an extraordinary honour?
The responsibility of the Masjid management, organisers and supporting brothers is to help create an environment in which every person can appreciate this opportunity and perform their Ziyarah with the highest possible Adab.
Prepare with Adab.
Receive with Adab.
Guide with Adab.
Make Ziyarah with Adab.
And allow the Blessed Mu-e-Mubarak Shareef ﷺ to depart with Adab.