Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ahmed Ololade, known professionally as Asake, has captured widespread attention after being granted access to one of Islam’s most revered prayer spaces during his ongoing pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The singer, currently observing Umrah in Medina during the holy month of Ramadan, was seen offering prayers at a location deeply connected to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), sharing the moment with his millions of followers under the caption “Alhamdulillah”.
The special area where Asake prayed is known as Raudhatul Jannah, which translates to the “Garden of Paradise.” This blessed space lies within Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, specifically situated between the grave of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his pulpit. Muslim tradition holds that this garden is among the most virtuous places on earth for prayer, with the Prophet himself describing the area between his house and his minbar as a garden from the gardens of Paradise.
The location is easily identifiable by its distinctive green carpet, setting it apart from the red carpets elsewhere in the mosque. Access to Raudhatul Jannah is typically managed through a booking system to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who visit annually, making the experience of praying there a deeply cherished goal for many Muslims undertaking pilgrimage.
Videos circulating across social media platforms show Asake being guided through the crowded mosque by an official wearing a vest marked “Ask Me”. The guide led the singer toward a small wooden door, which opened to grant him entry to the restricted section. The door closed immediately behind him, underscoring the exclusivity of the space .
Inside the hallowed area, Asake was seen kneeling in quiet prayer, taking a moment for personal devotion in the sacred environment. The singer later shared the clip on his Instagram page, offering fans a glimpse into his spiritual journey during the holy month.
The singer’s access to this revered space has generated significant discussion online. Many fans expressed admiration for the singer’s spiritual journey, with some commenting that the nation had chosen the right person to celebrate. One social media user noted, “This Ahmed get lucky ooo, not everyone was allowed into this place”.
However, others raised questions about preferential treatment within sacred spaces. Some commenters expressed concern, with one writing, “So there’s discrimination and favouritism in the presence of Allah?”. Another countered this perspective, explaining the practical realities of crowd management: “There is nothing like special treatment there. Every individual is permitted to perform 2 Rakat there. Due to crowd control, you’ll book slot via Rawdah. I performed mine as well”.
The pilgrimage comes amid a period of personal and public significance for the artist. Earlier this month, Asake demonstrated his generosity during Ramadan by gifting his mother a G-Wagon and surprising his father with a new Toyota Land Cruiser. His visit to Medina also follows a prophecy circulating on social media suggesting the singer would eventually convert to Christianity, leading many followers to interpret the pilgrimage as a quiet reaffirmation of his Islamic faith.
Asake’s journey to the holy cities represents a convergence of his public persona and private devotion, offering fans a window into the spiritual practices that ground one of Afrobeats’ brightest stars during the sacred month of Ramadan.
