Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The valley with the idhkhir grass refers specifically to “Thaniyyah ‘Ulya.” Imam Nawawi said: The correct and preferred position is that it is recommended (mustahabb) for every person in the state of ihram to enter Makkah Mukarramah from the direction of Thaniyyah ‘Ulya. If this pass does not fall on his route, even then he should come from that direction; this is the opinion of our researchers. (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab) In fact, Shaykh Muhammad Juwayni said: This pass is not on the route from Madinah to Makkah; the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam deliberately left the original route and chose this direction, therefore it is recommended for every person to enter from this pass.

Why did the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam choose the upper route when entering Makkah Mukarramah, and what is the wisdom in changing the route on the return? Regarding this, Hafiz Ibn Hajar writes: The reason for changing the route is so that both routes may be blessed by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, just as was the case for coming and going for the two ‘Eids. The wisdom in coming from the upper direction at the time of arrival is that entering from this way honors the place, and leaving from the lower side indicates separation from the place. One opinion is that Ibrahim alayhis salam entered from this upper direction. It is also said that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, at the time of migration, had left the city secretly, so this time he wished to enter the city openly and publicly from the upper side. Another opinion is that the reason for coming from this direction is that a person remains facing the House of Allah (Bayt Allah). It is also possible that since the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam entered from this direction at the time of the Conquest of Makkah, he wished to maintain this practice, and the reason for this is the statement of Abu Sufyan, which he made to Sayyiduna ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhu: “I will not become Muslim until I see the horses coming from Kada’.” Sayyiduna ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhu said: “What kind of statement is this?” He replied: “It is just a thought that has come to my heart, and Allah Ta‘ala will never bring horses from this direction.” Sayyiduna ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhu said: When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam entered, I reminded Abu Sufyan of his statement. Meanwhile, in the Sunan al-Bayhaqi, there is a narration from Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu: The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu: “How did Hassan say it?” In response, he recited this verse:

‘My daughter is lost if you do not see them
Raising the dust as they emerge from Kada’.’

Upon hearing this, the Prophet smiled and said: ((Enter from where Hassan has said.)) … “Enter from where Hassan has mentioned.” (Fath al-Bari: 3/559)

It appears that the purpose of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in coming from the upper direction was to take a good omen (fa’l hasan), that the purpose for which he was sent had now prevailed, and in this land the enemies of Islam and their system had been subdued. Entering from above and leaving from below indicates that the system of Mustafa has now spread in every direction of this region. And Allah knows best what is correct.