What is Miqat for Umrah?
Miqat means ‘a stated place’ You have often heard about wearing Ihram before you enter Miqat(Meeqath) but did you ever like to go in the detail what Miqat for Umrah is.
Miqat and Ihram
From a religious perspective, it is a “stated place or time”. It is for Hajj/Umrah which denotes an allocated time when the rites of a pilgrimage have to begin. Time and location is the first condition of Ihram. A person who already lives in Jeddah should enter Ihram for Umrah from outside Haram.
History
When the spouse of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) Aisha (R.A) asked him to perform Umrah on her own, He ordered her brother “Abdul Rahman” to go with her to Al-Tan’im to enter Miqat for Umrah. It was the closest spot outside Haram in Makkah.
The reason that Prophet Muhammad did not choose Umrah from “Al-Bat-ha” is supported by the fact that he always used to find easier options. The Prophet specified the number of places for people coming for Hajj and Umrah. It is from within and outside this segregation to perform Umrah to Makkah.
Read more: When is Hajj 2019?
Rites Before You Enter Miqat for Umrah Must Wear Ihram
A person who is coming for Umrah must wear Ihram before entering here. He/she must wear Ihram clothes and make an intention of performing Umrah plus have to be in the state of Ihram until all rites are completed. Well, this all should be done before arriving in Jeddah.
5 Miqat Boundaries and Their Distances
- Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) – 450 km
It is for individuals who live in Madinah and those who commute to Makkah from the same route. This is at a distance of 9 kilometers from Madinah and around 450 kilometers from Makkah.
- Dhat-Irq – 94 km
This Miqat is around 94 kilometers towards the North East of Makkah. This is especially for the natives of Iran, Iraq, and individuals. This Miqat is used during Hajj on the way from Makkah to Kufa.
- Qarn Al-Manazil (As-Sayl) – 75 km
This is a mountainous spot close to Tai’f which is around 95 kilometers to the east of Makkah. This is for individuals of Najd and for every individual coming to Jeddah.
- Yalamlam (As-Sadiah) – 92 km
This Miqat is a mountainous area 92 kilometers to the South East of Makkah. Individuals coming from Yemen use this route. It is also utilized by pilgrims coming from Japan, India, China, Pakistan and those coming from sea route.
- Rabigh (Al-Juhfa) – 183 km
This is 183 kilometers to the North West of Makkah. Individuals coming from Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Jordan, and Lebanon normally use this route. This city is close to the Red Sea
Rites for People Living in Miqat
People who reside in these boundaries can enter Miqat from where they start while the people living in Makkah can assume Ihram from there. However, anyone who decides to perform Umrah inside from Al-Haram should go to Al-Hill and then assume Ihram from there. Ruling both implies to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Some scholars strongly agree on the specific time of Miqat comprise of these following these months:
- Shawwal
- Dhul-Qada
- First 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah.