Standing near the green dome in Masjid Nabawi, I felt my heart racing. Behind those golden grilles lies the most sacred resting place in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, lies here with his two closest companions. But here is what amazed me. No one has entered this inner chamber for over 550 years. The last person to go inside has a name and a story. And today I want to share that story with you.
When Three Leaders Chose This Room
Let me take you back in time. After the Prophet passed away in 632 CE, he was buried in the room of his wife Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. Later, Abu Bakr and Umar were buried beside him. For many years, this room remained simple. Then something unexpected happened during the rule of Walid bin Abdul Malik around 705 CE. A wall of the chamber collapsed. A foot became visible. People panicked. They thought it might be the blessed foot of the Prophet himself. But Urwa bin Zubair, may Allah be pleased with him, checked carefully. He confirmed it was the foot of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. After this incident, Umar bin Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, built a five-sided wall around the chamber. This was done to protect the graves and prevent anyone from praying directly towards them. Now fast forward to the year 881 Hijri, around 1476 CE. A man named Nuruddin Al-Samhoodi was sent inside for repairs. In his famous book Wafa al-Wafa, he wrote what he saw. The ground inside had become level over time. Only one spot had a slight elevation. He believed this was the grave of Umar. That visit by Samhoodi was the last time any human being entered the inner chamber. Since then, over 550 years have passed. The chamber remains sealed.
Islam's Most Sacred Resting Place Explained
This place holds the heart of every Muslim. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, spent his final days here. He passed away in the lap of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. He chose to be buried where he died. Abu Bakr and Umar later joined him, just as they stood by him in life. For Muslims, visiting this spot is a dream come true. We cannot enter. But just standing nearby fills the soul with peace. The green dome above marks this sacred spot. Millions of visitors come every year. They send their salutations from behind the grilles. What makes this even more special is the protection around it. For centuries, scholars and rulers have guarded this place with extreme care. No one enters without a real need. And that need has not come for over five centuries. This story also teaches us something important. Many rumors spread on social media about this chamber. But history books give us clear facts. We should always check before believing.
Did You Know? The chamber has a unique five-sided wall built around it. This shape was chosen on purpose so that no wall would face the Qibla directly, preventing people from praying towards the graves by mistake.
How to Respectfully Approach the Chamber
When you visit Masjid Nabawi, head to the front section near the green dome. You will see golden grilles. This is as close as anyone can get. Men can visit during specific hours. Women have separate timings. Go early morning or late night to avoid crowds. Show respect and keep your voice low. Do not push or rush. Send your salutations calmly. Take your time. This moment is precious. Many people cry here. Let your heart feel whatever it needs to feel.