The boundary points (miqats) and the time for entering the pilgrim's state (ihram)
The five boundary points (miqats) around Makkah, which pilgrims use each, and when the pilgrim's state (ihram) for Hajj and Umrah may and may not be entered.
A miqat is a boundary place where pilgrims coming from outside Makkah must put on ihram before continuing towards the Haram. There are five well-known miqats, one for each direction people usually travel from.
| Miqat | For pilgrims coming from | Distance from Makkah |
|---|---|---|
| Dhu'l-Hulayfah (also called Abyar 'Ali) | Madinah | About 10 stages; roughly 196 miles. |
| Al-Juhfah (nowadays, Rabigh, just ahead of it) | Egypt, Syria and the Maghrib, if travelling via the road through Tabuk rather than through Madinah | A populated village in earlier times, now desolate; Rabigh lies slightly ahead of it. |
| Qarn al-Manazil | Najd | Near Ta'if. |
| Yalamlam (known today as Sa'diyyah) | Yemen, Tihamah, and those travelling from Yemen, including pilgrims from India | About two stages; roughly 32 miles. |
| Dhat 'Irq (people from Iraq now prefer Wadi al-'Aqiq, one or two stages further out) | Iraq: for example, Basra and Khorasan | About 42 miles. |
Dhu'l-Hulayfah is the furthest of the five miqats from Makkah, and Yalamlam is the closest.
Anyone travelling to Makkah or the Haram who passes by a miqat must put on ihram there for Hajj or Umrah: this is wajib according to Imam Abu Hanifah, even if the person is travelling for trade rather than for Hajj or Umrah.
Someone who actually lives in Makkah puts on ihram for Hajj from inside the Haram itself, and for Umrah from just outside it, in the nearest part of the Hill area.
For an Afaqi (someone who lives outside the miqat boundary), the time for the ihram of Umrah is throughout the year, except during the five days of Arafah, Eid and the days of Tashriq, when it is makruh tahrimi. For a Makki (someone who lives in Makkah), Umrah is likewise permitted throughout the year except during the months of Hajj, when it is makruh only if the person also intends to perform Hajj; without that intention, it is not makruh.
For an Afaqi, entering ihram for Umrah during the five days of Arafah, Eid al-Adha and the days of Tashriq is makruh tahrimi.
1For a Makki who intends to also perform Hajj that year, entering ihram for Umrah during the months of Hajj is makruh; without that intention, it is not.
An Afaqi has five well-known places to enter ihram for Umrah and Hajj, each called a miqat.
| Miqat | Serves pilgrims from | Distance from Makkah |
|---|---|---|
| Dhu'l-Hulayfah, popularly Abyar 'Ali | The people of Madinah | Ten stages (manazil) from Makkah towards Madinah, per ad-Durr al-Mukhtar; 196 miles per Fath al-Bari, and 4 to 6 miles from Madinah. |
| Al-Juhfah: travellers now use Rabigh, just ahead of it | Egypt, Syria and the Maghrib, if travelling via Tabuk rather than through Madinah | Formerly a populated village near Rabigh, now desolate and its exact site uncertain. |
| Qarn (al-Manazil) | Najd | Near Ta'if, at the edge of a canal in Arafat, a smooth, round hill resembling an egg. |
| Yalamlam, known today as Sa'diyyah | Yemen, Tihamah, and those travelling from Yemen, including the people of India | A mountain two stages from Makkah, 32 miles away. |
| Dhat 'Irq: the people of Iraq now prefer Wadi al-'Aqiq, one or two stages further out | Iraq, including Basra and Khorasan | 42 miles from Makkah; formerly populated, its people having since moved closer to Makkah. |
Dhu'l-Hulayfah is the farthest of the five from Makkah; Yalamlam is the closest; no miqat is closer than two stages.
The correct method is to enter ihram at the start of each miqat, so as to cross every miqat already in ihram; where a hadith fixes the exact spot of a particular miqat, that spot should be used, as with Masjid ash-Shajarah at Dhu'l-Hulayfah.
It is not permissible to go beyond a miqat without having entered ihram. It is permitted, and better if one is confident of avoiding the prohibitions of ihram, to enter ihram before the miqat, even from home; otherwise it is better to wait until the miqat itself. Those travelling by air should enter ihram from home or at the airport.
12For an Afaqi travelling to Makkah or the Haram who passes a miqat, entering ihram for Hajj or Umrah becomes wajib according to Imam Abu Hanifah, even if the traveller is not wealthy, and regardless of whether the purpose of the journey is Hajj, Umrah, or trade. According to Imam ash-Shafi'i, there is no such obligation if the purpose of the journey is something other than Hajj or Umrah.
For someone who lives in Makkah, the place for entering ihram for Hajj is anywhere in the Haram, though the area beneath the Mizab (the spout) of Masjid al-Haram is better; for Umrah, the whole of the Hill area suffices, though Tan'im, particularly Masjid 'A'ishah, is better.
The time for entering ihram for Hajj runs through Shawwal, all of Dhu'l-Qi'dah, and the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah. According to Imam Abu Hanifah, entering ihram before this period is makruh; according to Imam ash-Shafi'i, it is not permissible at all.
For an Afaqi (someone who lives outside the miqat boundary), the time for the ihram of Umrah is throughout the year, except during the five days of Arafah, Eid and the days of Tashriq, when it is makruh tahrimi. For a Makki (someone who lives in Makkah), Umrah is likewise permitted throughout the year except during the months of Hajj, when it is makruh only if the person also intends to perform Hajj; without that intention, it is not makruh.
For an Afaqi, entering ihram for Umrah during the five days of Arafah, Eid al-Adha and the days of Tashriq is makruh tahrimi.
1For a Makki who intends to also perform Hajj that year, entering ihram for Umrah during the months of Hajj is makruh; without that intention, it is not.
An Afaqi has five well-known places to enter ihram for Umrah and Hajj, each called a miqat.
| Miqat | Serves pilgrims from | Distance from Makkah |
|---|---|---|
| Dhu'l-Hulayfah, popularly Abyar 'Ali | The people of Madinah | Ten stages (manazil) from Makkah towards Madinah, per ad-Durr al-Mukhtar; 196 miles per Fath al-Bari, and 4 to 6 miles from Madinah. |
| Al-Juhfah: travellers now use Rabigh, just ahead of it | Egypt, Syria and the Maghrib, if travelling via Tabuk rather than through Madinah | Formerly a populated village near Rabigh, now desolate and its exact site uncertain. |
| Qarn (al-Manazil) | Najd | Near Ta'if, at the edge of a canal in Arafat, a smooth, round hill resembling an egg. |
| Yalamlam, known today as Sa'diyyah | Yemen, Tihamah, and those travelling from Yemen, including the people of India | A mountain two stages from Makkah, 32 miles away. |
| Dhat 'Irq: the people of Iraq now prefer Wadi al-'Aqiq, one or two stages further out | Iraq, including Basra and Khorasan | 42 miles from Makkah; formerly populated, its people having since moved closer to Makkah. |
Dhu'l-Hulayfah is the farthest of the five from Makkah; Yalamlam is the closest; no miqat is closer than two stages.
The correct method is to enter ihram at the start of each miqat, so as to cross every miqat already in ihram; where a hadith fixes the exact spot of a particular miqat, that spot should be used, as with Masjid ash-Shajarah at Dhu'l-Hulayfah.
It is not permissible to go beyond a miqat without having entered ihram. It is permitted, and better if one is confident of avoiding the prohibitions of ihram, to enter ihram before the miqat, even from home; otherwise it is better to wait until the miqat itself. Those travelling by air should enter ihram from home or at the airport.
12For an Afaqi travelling to Makkah or the Haram who passes a miqat, entering ihram for Hajj or Umrah becomes wajib according to Imam Abu Hanifah, even if the traveller is not wealthy, and regardless of whether the purpose of the journey is Hajj, Umrah, or trade. According to Imam ash-Shafi'i, there is no such obligation if the purpose of the journey is something other than Hajj or Umrah.
For someone who lives in Makkah, the place for entering ihram for Hajj is anywhere in the Haram, though the area beneath the Mizab (the spout) of Masjid al-Haram is better; for Umrah, the whole of the Hill area suffices, though Tan'im, particularly Masjid 'A'ishah, is better.
The time for entering ihram for Hajj runs through Shawwal, all of Dhu'l-Qi'dah, and the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah. According to Imam Abu Hanifah, entering ihram before this period is makruh; according to Imam ash-Shafi'i, it is not permissible at all.
This is the English translation of Nisab Ahle Khidmaat Sharia, exactly as the book has it, for the passages this page was written from. About 1,191 words. Switch back to Guide for the rewritten version.
Account of Hajj and Umrah The time for Ihram and the description of Miqat
For an Afaqi (one residing outside the Miqat), the time for the Ihram of Umrah is throughout the year, except during the five days of Arafah, Eid, and the Days of Tashreeq, during which it is highly disliked (Makruh Tahrimi). For a Maki (one residing in Makkah), the time for Umrah is throughout the year, except during the months of Hajj, when it is Makruh if the person intends to perform Hajj. However, if there is no intention to perform Hajj, then performing Umrah is not Makruh.
For an Afaqi, there are five well-known locations to don the Ihram for Umrah and Hajj, and each of these locations is called a Miqat:
- For the people of Madinah, the Miqat is Dhū al-Ḥalīfah. It is commonly known as Ābār-e-ʿAli [literally the well of ʿAlī. The public believes that Hazrat ʿAlī (May Allah be pleased with him) killed the jinns in the wells there, but there is no authentic source to support this story. Hazrat Burjandi states that Dhū al-Ḥalīfah is a water source of the Banu Jashm tribe, and Ḥalīfah is a diminutive of Ḥalfah, which refers to a type of grass that grows in water.]
There are many wells there. According to the Dur Mukhtār, this place is ten stages (manzil) away from Makkah, towards Madinah. In Fatḥ al-Bārī, it is mentioned that it is located 196 miles from Makkah, and it is 4 to 6 miles from Madinah.
Sayyid Sumuḥūdī, in his Tārīkh Madīnah, mentions that after measuring, he found that the distance from the Bab al-Salām (the gate of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah) to the threshold of Masjid al-Shajarah (the mosque near the place where Ihram is worn for Dhū al-Ḥalīfah) is 29,732.5 yards.
- The Ihram station for the people of Egypt, Syria, and Maghrib (North Africa), if coming via Madinah, is Dhul-Hulayfah. However, if traveling via the road of Tabuk (a region between Syria and Madinah), then their station is Juhfah. [Tabuk is a land between Syria and Madinah and Juhfah is the station referred to as Bay'ah. When the tribe of Amalek expelled Bu Ubaidah, who was one of the relatives of Aad, from Yathrib, he traveled to Bay'ah. Suddenly, a flood came and swept them away. People then said, "اجْتَحَفَهُمُ الجِحَافُ" (meaning: the flood swept them away). From that time onwards, it has been known as Juhfah.]This location used to be a populated village near Rabigh in earlier times but is now desolate. Its exact location cannot be determined with certainty. Therefore, people now wear ihram at Rabigh, which is slightly ahead of Juhfah. Rabigh is a valley where a settlement has emerged.
- The ihram station for Najd is Qarn. [The term "Najd" means an elevated region. Here, Najd refers to the ten villages situated between Tihama and Yemen, which are on an elevated side, and between Syria and Iraq, which are in a lower area.] Qarn is situated near Ta'if at the edge of a canal in Arafat, where there is a smooth, round hill resembling an egg.
- The ihram station for the people of Yemen, Tihama, and those traveling from Yemen, including the people of India, is Yalamlam. It is a mountain located two stages away from Makkah, with a distance of 32 miles. At present, it is known as Sa’diyyah.
- The ihram station for the people of Iraq [The term "Iraq" refers to the area along the banks of a river or canal. This is because Iraq lies to the east of Makkah near the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers], such as those from Basra, Khorasan, and similar areas, is Dhat Irq. [Dhat Irq is a sandy region where tamarisks grow, and there is a mountain called Irq in this area.]It is located 42 miles away from Makkah. Previously, it was a populated village; however, it later became deserted, with its population moving closer to Makkah.Because of this, it is preferable for the people of Iraq to wear ihram at Wadi Al-'Aqiq, which is one or two stages ahead of Dhat Irq.
Among these Miqat locations, Dhū al-Hilīfah is the farthest, and Yalamlām is the closest. If anyone passes through any of these Miqat areas or between two Miqat, they must follow the rulings of the pilgrims of those Miqat, and should don the Ihrām at the exact point of that Miqat, or along its direct line. If the Miqat is unknown, it is better to assume Ihrām from the two nearest points, as no Miqat is closer than two stages. This is why the pilgrims traveling from Jeddah will assume Ihrām in the sea, near Yalamlām, as directed by the ship's captain.
The proper way is to assume Ihrām at the beginning point of each Miqat, ensuring one crosses all Miqat while being in Ihrām. However, if the location of a particular Miqat is well defined by hadith, one should adopt Ihrām at that specific spot.
Just as in Dhū al-Hilīfah, the Masjid al-Shajar is designated for assuming Ihrām.
It is not permissible to proceed beyond these Miqat without having assumed Ihrām. However, it is allowed to assume Ihrām before reaching the Miqat, and it is even better to assume Ihrām from one's home, provided they are confident that they will be able to avoid the prohibitions of Ihrām. Otherwise, it is better to assume Ihrām at the Miqat. Those traveling by air should assume Ihrām either from their home or at the airport.
The time for assuming the Ihrām for Hajj is throughout the month of Shawwal, all of Dhul-Qi'dah, and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Assuming Ihrām before this time is considered Makruh according to Imam Abu Hanifah, and according to Imam Shafi'i, it is completely impermissible.
For an Afaqī (someone from outside the Miqat areas) traveling to Makkah or the Haram who passes through a Miqat, Ihrām for Hajj or Umrah becomes Wājib according to Imam Abu Hanifah, even if they are not wealthy and regardless of whether their intention is for Hajj, Umrah, or for trade purposes. On the other hand, according to Imam Shafi'i, if their intention is for purposes other than Hajj or Umrah, there is no obligation to assume Ihrām.
For someone living inside the Miqat or passing through it for any purpose, or anyone leaving the Miqat and then returning, if they intend to go to Makkah or the Haram, Ihrām and performing Hajj or Umrah is not obligatory by unanimous agreement unless they specifically make the intention for Hajj or Umrah.
For someone from Makkah, the place for assuming the Ihrām for Hajj is the entire Haram, but particularly the area beneath the Mizab of the Masjid al-Haram is considered better. As for assuming Ihrām for Umrah, the entire Hil area is acceptable, but particularly Taneem, especially the Masjid A'ishah, is considered better.
When an Afaqī (someone coming from outside the Miqat area) enters Makkah and removes their Ihrām, they then follow the ruling of a resident of Makkah, even if they did not intend to stay there. The same ruling applies to someone who passes through the Miqat or Hil and arrives in Makkah without having assumed Ihrām.
Terms on this page
Related
- Hajj, Umrah, and the three ways of combining them How Hajj and Umrah differ, and the three recognised ways of performing them together: Hajj alone (Ifrad), Umrah then Hajj (Tamattu') and both together (Qiran).
- The 8th of Dhul-Hijjah (the Day of Tarwiyah): entering the pilgrim's state (ihram) for Hajj and going to Mina How Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah: entering the pilgrim's state (ihram), the arrival circling (Tawaf al-Qudum), travelling to Mina, and spending the night there.
- The obligatory (fard), necessary (wajib) and sunnah acts of Hajj and Umrah, at a glance The five acts Hajj cannot be valid without, the thirty-one necessary (wajib) acts, the emphasised sunnahs, and what invalidates Hajj or Umrah outright.
- Where dua is accepted in Makkah, and sacred places to visit The places in and around Makkah where dua is said to be accepted, and the historic sites (Khadijah's house, the caves of Hira and Thawr, and more) worth visiting.