Masjid al-Nabawi — the Prophet’s Mosque — stands in the blessed city of Madinah as the second holiest site in all of Islam. Constructed the year 622 CE by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, this holy mosque has expanded over fourteen centuries into a magnificent place of worship on earth Today, it receives millions of pilgrims and devotees from all over the world.
Among its most meaningful features are its gates. Every gate stands in a name, history and religious meaning behind it which connects every visitor with the early days of Islam. Be familiar with these gates, where they are, what was their gory story and why is it there, this can bring incredible depth to your visit at this blessed place.
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When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ first constructed Masjid Nabawi, the mosque had just three gates:
The mosque was expanded under the rule of Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) and it then had six gates. The new gate Bab as-Salam was added on south-western corner, and Bab an-Nisa which faced the tomb of the Prophet ﷺ directly was added in between ﷺ.
Subsequent historical developments — including those of the Abbasid caliphs, Ottoman sultans, and Saudi government in more recent times — saw further expansions that resulted in over forty gates bringing back to Susan G. Also, the famous Khukha of Abu Bakr and after the extension ordered by Caliph al-Mahdi became available nineteen gates in total, which were recorded by one of the great Islamic historian Ibn Najjar.
Gate Name | Gate No. | Location & Significance |
Bab as‑Salam (Gate of Peace) | 1 | North‑western corner of the Ottoman prayer hall. The largest and most decorated gate. Originally built under Caliph Umar (c. 640 CE), moved westwards during expansions. Behind the modern facade, the older Ottoman door panels are still visible. Pilgrims visiting the Rawdah and Prophet’s tomb often use this gate. |
Bab Abu Bakr | 2 | Next to Bab as‑Salam, north side. Originally known as Khukha Abi Bakr – a small door near the fifth column west of the pulpit. Named after the companion Abu Bakr as‑Siddiq. |
Bab al‑Rahmah | 3 | One of the three oldest gates (Prophet’s time). Western wall, originally opposite the house of ‘Atika. Moved westward during expansions. |
Bab al‑Hijrah | 4 | Southern wall of the Second Saudi Expansion, left of Bab al‑Rahmah. Double‑arched (now four portals). Named in memory of the Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. |
Bab Quba | 5 | Southern wall, triple‑arched. Named after the village of Quba, 5 km south of Madinah, where the Prophet built the first mosque. |
Bab Malik al‑Saud | 7, 8, 9 | South‑western corner of King Fahd Expansion. Seven portals (two large, five smaller). Named after Saud bin Abdulaziz, who commissioned the first Saudi expansion. Has one of the six tallest minarets of the mosque. |
Bab Imam al‑Bukhari | 10 | Western flank, between Bab Malik al‑Saud and Bab al‑Majeedi. Named after the great hadith scholar Imam al‑Bukhari. Provides access to the Maktab Masjid Nabawi (library). |
Bab al‑‘Aqiq | 11 | Western side, named after Wadi al‑‘Aqiq, a valley on Madinah’s western boundary where several companions lived. Small portal. |
Bab al‑Majeedi (Sultan Abdul Majeed) | 12, 13, 14 | North‑western flank of the second Saudi expansion. Five smaller and two large portals, one minaret. Originally an Ottoman gate moved during King Fahd’s expansion. |
Bab ‘Umar ibn al‑Khattab | 16, 17, 18 | Northern wall, near the north‑western corner. Named after the second caliph. Also provides access to the mosque’s library. |
Bab Badr | 19 | Northern wall, between Bab Malik Fahd and Bab ‘Umar. Single portal, inscribed with Quran 15:46: “Enter within in peace (be safe and secure).” Named after the Battle of Badr. |
Bab Malik Fahd (King Fahd Gate) | 20, 21, 22 | Main northern entrance. The largest gate of Masjid Nabawi, with seven doors and two minarets (two of the six tallest). Topped by five domes. Named after King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. |
Bab Uhud | 23 | Northern wall, named after the Valley of Uhud, site of the Battle of Uhud (625 CE). Small gate, often fitted with temporary foot traffic barriers during peak times. |
Bab ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan | 24, 25, 26 | Northern wall, near the north‑eastern corner. Two large and five central portals – one of the seven largest gates. Named after the third caliph, ‘Uthman Ghani. One of two gates giving direct access to the north‑eastern women’s section. |
Gate Name | Gate No. | Location & Significance |
Bab ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib | 28, 29, 30 | Eastern wall of Masjid Nabawi. One of the seven largest gates. Named after the cousin and son‑in‑law of the Prophet, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib. |
Bab Abu Dhar al‑Ghiffari | 31 | Eastern wall of King Fahd Expansion, between Bab ‘Abdulaziz and Bab ‘Ali. Single portal. Named after the companion Abu Dhar, known for his piety. |
Bab Imam Muslim | 32 | Eastern wall, adjacent to Bab Abu Dhar. Single portal, with escalator to the upper level. Named after the hadith scholar Imam Muslim. |
Bab Malik ‘Abdulaziz | 33, 34, 35 | South‑eastern corner of King Fahd Expansion. Five small and two large portals. One minaret on the southern side. Named after King Abdulaziz ibn Saud. |
Bab Makkah | 37 | Southern side of the King Fahd Expansion building. Triple‑arched, identical to Bab Quba. Named after the city of Makkah, as it faces that direction. |
Bab Bilal | 38 | Southern flank of the King Fahd Expansion. Originally two doors, now four. Named after Bilal ibn Rabah, the first mu’azzin of Islam. |
Bab an‑Nisa (Women’s Gate) | 39 | Eastern wall, closest to the Prophet’s tomb. Originally installed by Caliph ‘Umar (c. 639 CE / 17 AH) for women’s use. During ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdulaziz’s time, it was exclusively for ladies. Current architecture is Ottoman‑style. |
Bab Jibril (Gabriel’s Gate) | 40 | Eastern wall of the Ottoman prayer hall, between Bab al‑Baqi (south) and Bab an‑Nisa (north). Also called Bab un‑Nabi. According to tradition, Angel Jibril (Gabriel) used to enter the mosque through this gate. |
Bab al‑Baqi‘ | 41 | Eastern wall, closest to the Prophet’s burial chamber. Faces Jannat al‑Baqi‘ cemetery, where many of the Prophet’s family and companions are buried. Topped with one minaret, with Arabic inscriptions on the lintel and architrave. |
Gate Name | Gate No. | Location & Significance |
Bab ul‑Aimah (Imams’ Gate) | 42 | Southern side, small gate. Also known as Bab ul‑Janayez (Gate of Funerals). Allows entrance to the Rawdah Rasool section, mainly used by imams. Opens close to the Mihrab ‘Uthmani (principal mihrab from Caliph ‘Uthman’s expansion). |
Masjid Nabawi has designated gates to ensure privacy and comfort for female worshippers. The most famous ladies’ entrances are:
Female worshippers are advised to use these gates, as security and staff are present to guide them to women‑only prayer areas, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.
Today, the gates of Masjid Nabawi are not just entry points – they are living history, each telling a story from the time of the Prophet, the early caliphs, or the great expansions that have made the mosque a welcoming sanctuary for millions.
The gates of Masjid Nabawi are far more than architectural entrances. They are milestones of Islamic history — named after the Prophet ﷺ himself, after the Angel of Revelation, after the closest companions, and after the great scholars who preserved the Sunnah for all generations to come.
To pass through Bab as-Salam is to enter as the Prophet’s companions once entered — with peace in the heart. To stand at Bab al-Baqi is to stand near the resting places of the greatest generation of Muslims. To walk through Bab Jibrīl is to tread where divine revelation once descended.
May every pilgrim who visits Masjid Nabawi find peace, closeness to Allah, and a deep connection to the blessed legacy of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad)
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FAQs
Gates 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.
In addition, Bab un-Nisa (Gate of Women) – number 39 – was historically designated for women by Caliph ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and remains so.
Gate 333 is located on the southern side of Masjid Nabawi, specifically on the south-eastern side, among the red-colored gates (numbers 328 to 338). It is well‑known for being opposite a popular food street and an ice cream vendor.
Bab as‑Salam (Gate 1)
Bab ul‑Aimmah (Gate 42)
Pilgrims also queue from Gate 37 (Bab Makkah) and Gate 38 (Bab Bilal) because the holding areas are near them.
There is no gate in Masjid Nabawi specifically for performing Umrah, because Umrah is performed in Makkah, not Madinah. However, the gate known as Bab al‑Umrah (The Umrah Gate) is a named entrance that pilgrims often use for convenience, especially when arriving from or departing to Makkah. For practical purposes, any gate close to one’s hotel or transport may be used.
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