I want to visit the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in al-Madeenah al-Munawwarah. How should I send salaams upon the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and is visiting his Mosque obligatory?

Praise
be to Allaah.
 

Praise be to Allaah, and blessings and
peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah.

Visiting the Mosque of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is not obligatory, but if you
want to travel to Madeenah in order to pray in the Mosque of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), that is Sunnah. When you
enter the Mosque, pray first, then go to the grave of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and say: “As-salaamu ‘alayka
ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu, wa sall-Allaahu ‘alayka wa
‘ala aalika wa ashaabika (Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of
Allaah and His blessings. May Allaah bless you and your family and
companions).” Send lots of blessings and salaams upon him, because it was
reported that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Send blessings upon me, for your blessings will reach me no matter where
you are.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2042). Then send salaams upon Abu Bakr
and ‘Umar, and pray that Allaah may be pleased with them. But do not touch
the grave or make du’aa’ there; rather move away and make du’aa’ to Allaah
from wherever you want in the mosque or elsewhere. It was narrated that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not set
out to travel to any mosque except three: al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah],
Masjid al-Rasool (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) [the
Prophet’s Mosque in Madeenah], and al-Masjid al-Aqsa [in Jerusalem].”
(Narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 1751; al-Bukhaari, 1189; Muslim, 1379)

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.