First of all, it should be clear that Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime. If a person has the means to offer Hajj, he should carry it out as soon as possible. One is not advised to delay offering Hajj under any pretext, keeping in mind the fact that Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
The rites of Hajj can be performed in 4 or 5 days which involves the day of `Arafah, the day of Nahr (10th of dhul Hijjah), and another 2 or 3 days which are 11, 12 and 13th of dhul Hijjah. This is the minimum number of days during which one can perform the rites of Hajj. After that minimum, one is free to prolong this period without being obliged to do so as long as he performed the rites of Hajj.
Your husband should enter Makkah on 8th of Dhul Hijjah and he can leave Makkah after Zhuhr Prayer in 12 or 13th of Dhul Hijjah. It is not a condition or one of the requirements of Hajj to visit the Prophet’s grave in Madinah. However, one is rewarded if he did. Elaborating on this issue, we’d like to cite for you the fatwa we issued in this regard:
“To visit Madinah is not a rite of Hajj or `Umrah, but the unique merits of the Prophet’s city, his mosque, and his sacred tomb attract every pilgrim to visit it. One may choose whether or not to visit Madiniah, and whether to do so before or after the Hajj or `Umrah. There is no ihram or talbiyah for the visit to Madinah or the Prophet’s Mosque.
Unique Merits of the Prophet’s Mosque:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself participated in the construction of this mosque, called it “My Mosque” and led Prayers in it for years. He also said that a Prayer performed in the Prophet’s Mosque is better than a thousand Prayers in any other place except the Sacred Mosque in Makkah.
According to Anas, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “The person who offers 40 prayers consecutively in my mosque, without missing a prayer in between, will secure immunity from the fire of Hell and other torments and also from hypocrisy.” (Ahmad)
Visiting the Prophet’s Tomb:
It is a great privilege for the pilgrims to visit our beloved Prophet’s tomb. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once said: “The person who comes solely for the purpose of paying a visit to my grave has a right on me that I should intercede for him.”
And he also said: “The person who performs Hajj and then visits my tomb will be regarded as though he had seen me in my worldly life.” (Al-Bayhaqi)
In his book, Al-Hajj, the prominent scholar El-Bahay El- Kholi states:
“The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) highly recommended the visit to three mosques, namely the Sacred House (the Ka`bah) in Makkah, his own in Madinah, and the Masjid al-Aqsa inJerusalem.
On completing the rites of the Hajj, the pilgrim would do well to set out towards the Mosque of the Prophet at Madinah with its five minarets and the green dome of the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
The moment he steps into this Mosque, he has to call to mind all that he knows of the glorious deeds of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and of his spiritual guidance. He is to remember that in it the Prophet taught Muslims about the tenets of their faith and inculcated in them the principles of brotherhood, justice and equality.
On entering the mosque, the pilgrim must pray two rak`ahs, then proceed to the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at which he says these words in greeting: “Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and that you are his Messenger”.
It is desirable that the visitor turn eastwards a little to salute the tomb of the Caliph Abu Bakr, and then the tomb of the Caliph `Umar Ibn al-Khattab.
With the visit the pilgrim’s sense of devotion is enhanced by recalling the memories of the glory of Islam. In this sense, this mosque serves as another fount of inspiration to Muslims throughout the world.”
Having clarified the above, we have to keep in mind the fact that offering Hajj is so easy and simple that we will find no difficulty in offering it in a short period. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) showed Muslims the rites of Hajj and ordered his Companions to teach those who were absent. We learn how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him offered Hajj) through the authentic Hadiths.
Allah Almighty knows best.