Gates of Al Masjid an Nabawi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Bab as-Salam (Door No.1)

As-Salam (السلام) is an Arabic word. The meaning of the word is peace. With this word named gate no 1 of Masjid an-Nabawi. It is the largest and most decorated gate of the prophet’s mosque. This gate is situated in the north-western corner of the masjid’s Ottoman prayer hall. 2nd caliph of Islam Omar bin Khattab (R) built it during his reign circa 640 CE (18 Hj).

Bab Abu Bakr (Door No.2)

Abu Bakr (R) is the name of a great companion of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The second gate of the mosque complex is named after him. It is situated on the north side next to Bab as-Salam. During construction, it was known as 'Khukha Abu Bakr'. However, in the first expansion by the Saudi government, the name was changed from 'Khukha Abu Bakr' to 'Bab Abu Bakr (باب ابو بكر)'.

Ar-Rahmah is an Arabic word, the meaning of its kindness. This oldest gate of the Nabwi complex is named after this word. Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) installed the western wall in his lifetime. The gate was situated in front of Atkia Bint Abdullah bin Iyajid, so it was called Bab Atika.

The Meaning of the Arabic word `Hijrah’ is migration. Rasulullah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) migrated from Makkah to Madinah. This door has been named Bab Hijra to commemorate this Hijra. It is situated at the southern end of the Masjid Nabawi complex and to the left of the Bab ar-Rahmah.

Quba, a small village was located about 5 km south of Masjid an-Nabawi and on the outskirts of Medina. 5th number gate of the mosque has been named after this village. This gate is located on the southwestern flank of the masjid’s King Fahad bin Abdulaziz block.

Bab Malik al-Saud (Door No. 7,8,9)

Malik al-Saud (ملك آل سعود) was a king of Saudi Arabia. This gate has been named after his name. It is located on the southwestern corner of the masjid. Beside this gate is a single minaret which is one of the six tallest minarets of the mosque.

Imam Bukhari was an Islamic and Hadith scholar. The 10th gate of the Masjid al-Nabawi has been named after this scholar. It is located on the western flank of the mosque and between the Bab Malik al-Saud and Bab Malik Abdul Majeed. Entering through this gate, everyone can visit the library of the mosque.

Bab al-Aqeeq is located on the western side of the Prophet’s mosque. Al-aqeeq is one of the notable valleys of Medina. The 11th number gate of the mosque has been named after this valley.

Badr is the name of the first battle of Islam. Where Muslims won against the Quraish. Door No. 19 is named after this battle. It is in the northern wall of the masjid and between Bab Malik Fahad and Bab Umar bin Khattab. Here is a single portal entrance through which the worshipers enter the mosque.

Al-Fahad is the name of a former king of Saudi Arabia. The gate has been named after this king. It is located north side of the mosque and it is the main entrance to the Masjid un-Nabawi from the north. Also, it is one of the largest gates of the mosque.

Uhud is the name of a mountain in Medina. 2nd battle of Islam took place here against Quraish. The door is named after this battle. This gate is situated in the northern wall of the prophet’s mosque.

Uthman ibn Affan ( عثمان ابنِ عفان) (R) is a respected companion of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and was 3rd caliph in Islam. This gate is named after Uthman (R). It is situated on the eastern corner. The gate allows direct access to the northeast women's section of the Prophet's Mosque.

Ghifar is the name of an Arab pagan tribe. The inhabitants of this tribe lived near Medina. Abu Dhar al-Ghifari was a resident of this tribe. He is a companion of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is named after him. The gate is located between Bab-i Abdul Aziz and Bab-i Ali on the eastern side. It is one of the smaller gates of Masjid an-Nabawi.

Abdul Aziz was a king of Saudi Arabia. This gate is named after this king. It is one of the largest gates of the Masjid Nabawi with five small and two large portals. Bab-e Abdul Aziz has one minaret on the southern side. It is situated on the southeast corner of the King Fahad expansion.

Bab Makkah (Door No. 37)

The Bab Makkah is situated on the south side of the Main Malik Fahad Extension Building. Named after the city of Makkah, it's one of two identical gates providing access to the mosque, both on the south wall of the second Saudi extension. The other gate is on the south side of the Bab Quba.

The Bab Bilal (باب بلال), meaning the Gate of Bilal, is named in honor of Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi, the first Muazzin of Islam. It sits on the southern side of the mosque's newest expansion by King Fahad. Currently, this gate features four doors for entry, but when it was first built during the Second Saudi Expansion, it was a smaller gate with just two doors, each topped with its arch.

Nisa is an Arabic word. The meaning of this word in English is women. The Bab Un Nisa (باب النساء), meaning the gate of women. It was specially installed by Umar Ibn Kahattab (R). At that time both men and women used to enter through this gate. But during the time of Umar bin Abdul Aziz, it was reserved and used exclusively for women. It is one of the three gates located along the eastern wall of Masjid al-Nababi, closest to the Prophet Muhammad's tomb.

Jibreel (A) is the name of an angel. The gate is named after him. It is mentioned that Jibril (Gabriel) used to enter the Prophet's Mosque through this door. This door is also known as Bab un-Nabi. It is located between Bab al-Baqi and Bab al-Nisa and along the west wall of the Ottoman prayer hall of the Prophet's Mosque.

Bab al-Baqi (Door No. 41)

Baki is the name of a graveyard in Medina located near Masjid al-Nababi. This gate is named after this graveyard. It is located near the burial chamber of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). There is a minaret above the gate. There are two Arabic inscriptions, one on the lintel and the other on the upper architrave. The facade of the gate is flanked by two pillars.

Aimmah is an Arabic word. This word means leader. The gate is named after this word. It is a small gate located on the south side of the mosque. This allows access to the Rawda. This door is also known as Bab ul-Janaiz, which means the door of funerals.