Meeqaat

A Meeqaat is a fixed place beyond which it is not permissible for a pilgrim (of Hajj or 'Umrah) to proceed towards Makkah without making Ihraam (putting on the garments and making the intention). There are five such Meeqaats surrounding Makkah.
(a) Dhul Hulayfah - This Meeqaat is now known as Aabaar 'Alee (the wells of 'Alee) and it is situated about a mile and a half outside of Madeenah. It is for the people coming from the direction of Madeenah and its vicinity from the north and it is also the farthest Meeqaat from Makkah (approx. 750 km.).
(b) Dhaatu 'Irq - This is the designated Meeqaat for the people coming from the direction of Iraq. It is about 42 miles from Makkah.
(c) Al-Juhfah - Today Al-Juhfah is an abandoned village north west of Makkah near the town of Raabigh on the Makkah - Madeenah road. Consequently, people coming from Syria and its direction begin their Ihraam for Hajj and 'Umrah from Raabigh.
(d) Qarn al-Manaazil - This Meeqaat is now called as-Sayl and it was set for the people of Najd and the East. It is situated just outside of Taaif.
(e) Yalamlam - Yalamlam is the Meeqaat designated for people coming from Yemen and its direction (south). It is about 30 miles south of Makkah. These Meeqaats have all been fixed by statements of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) which are recorded in Hadeeth collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. They were set by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for people living in particular areas outside of their boundaries, however, a pilgrim may use any Meeqaat he or she wishes. For those living within the boundaries of the Haram, their Meeqaat for Hajj is their houses. But, if they intend to perform 'Umrah, they have to go outside the boundaries of the Haram in order to enter the state of Ihraam.
A pilgrim intending Hajj or 'Umrah who reaches these Meeqaats or extensions of them by land, by air, or by sea, must enter the state of Ihraam. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, They (the Meeqaats) are for whoever comes to them intending Hajj or 'Umrah, other than those living within them. Hence, it is better for those coming by air to bathe before riding the plane, unless there is an in-transit stop on the way where this can be done. When the Meeqaat is neared, the garments of Ihraam should then be put on and the intention made. However, the clothes for Ihraam may also be put on from one's house and the intention made later when the Meeqaat is neared or crossed. It should be noted that Jeddah is not a Meeqaat, and thus Ihraam can not be made from there by those coming into the country in planes, ships or cars. One should put on Ihraam on the plane or before boarding the plane. If one made Ihraam from Jeddah, he is required to go back outside of the nearest Meeqaat and make Ihraam again or else he will have to sacrifice an animal in Makkah to make up for the mistake.

As for businessmen or others not intending Hajj or 'Umrah, Ihraam is not necessary for travelling in and out of the Haram area. This is confirmed by the fact that when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his followers entered Makkah in the 8th year as conquerors, no one wore Ihraam. As for those living within the Meeqaats, they make their Ihraam for Hajj from their houses, but they are required to go out of the Haram if they intend to make 'Umrah, based on the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) command to 'Aa'eshah's brother, Abdur Rahmaan, to take her out of the Haram boundaries and let her make Ihraam from there. (People commonly go to Tan'eem, which is where 'Aa'eshah went, but anywhere outside of the boundaries of the Haram is sufficient.) Her 'Umrah at this point after Hajj was due to her inability to do so before Hajj because of menstruation. It should be noted that neither the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) nor his companions made 'Umrah after Hajj, as is the popular practice among people now.


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