Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❖ Question
What are the Miqāt (prescribed boundaries) for Hajj in terms of location?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma ba‘d!
There are five designated locations (Mawāqīt Makāniyyah) from where a person must enter into Ihram if intending to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah. The details are as follows:
✿ 1. Dhul-Hulaifah (ذو الحليفة)
◈ Today known as “Abyār ʿAlī”.
◈ It is located near Madinah Munawwarah.
◈ Distance from Makkah is approximately ten stages (manāzil).
◈ It is the farthest Miqāt from Makkah.
◈ Designated for the people of Madinah and those coming through that route.
✿ 2. Al-Juhfah (الجُحْفَة)
◈ An old village on the route from Syria to Makkah.
◈ Approximate distance to Makkah is three stages.
◈ As this village is now uninhabited, people enter into Ihram from Rabigh, which is its substitute today.
✿ 3. Yalamlam (يلملم)
◈ A mountain or area on the route from Yemen to Makkah.
◈ Today known as “Saʿdiyyah”.
◈ Distance to Makkah is around two stages.
◈ Designated for people coming from Yemen.
✿ 4. Qarn al-Manāzil (قرن المنازل)
◈ A mountain on the route from Najd to Makkah.
◈ Now called “as-Sayl al-Kabīr”.
◈ Also approximately two stages away from Makkah.
◈ Designated for the people of Najd.
✿ 5. Dhātu ʿIrq (ذات عرق)
◈ Located on the path from Iraq to Makkah.
◈ Also about two stages from Makkah.
❖ Clarification Based on Ḥadīth and the Statements of Scholars
✔ Four of these Miqāt locations — Dhul-Hulaifah, Al-Juhfah, Yalamlam, and Qarn al-Manāzil — were explicitly designated by the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ This is affirmed through the narration of ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها, as reported by the authors of the Sunan.
❖ Designation of Dhātu ʿIrq
◈ Dhātu ʿIrq was appointed as a Miqāt by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه when the people of Kūfah and Baṣrah said:
“O Leader of the Believers! The Prophet ﷺ designated Qarn (al-Manāzil) as Miqāt for the people of Najd, but it is very far from our route.”
So, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه responded:
“See what location lies directly opposite to that on your path, and take that as your Miqāt.”
❖ Shar‘i Ruling Based on Principles
✔ If the designation of Dhātu ʿIrq is proven from the Prophet ﷺ, then the matter is clear.
✔ If not, then it is still established from the Sunnah of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه, who is among the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafāʾ Rāshidūn) whom we are commanded to follow.
✔ In fact, several rulings in the Qur’an were revealed confirming the opinion of ʿUmar رضي الله عنه.
❖ Application of Qiyās (Analogy) and Contemporary Relevance
✔ If someone passes near one of the Miqāt locations, it becomes obligatory to enter into Ihram from that point.
✔ If one passes a location that is opposite or equivalent in distance to any Miqāt, the same ruling applies as if he passed by the original Miqāt itself.
✔ This ijtihād (juridical reasoning) by ʿUmar رضي الله عنه remains highly relevant today, particularly for those arriving via air travel.
❖ Practical Example for Modern Times
✔ If someone travels by plane with the intention of performing Hajj or ʿUmrah, then as the plane passes over any Miqāt, the person must enter into Ihram at that point.
✖ It is not permissible to delay Ihram until reaching Jeddah, as many people do nowadays.
✔ This ruling applies whether one is on land, in the air, or at sea.
❖ Further Clarification
✔ Hence, those who arrive by sea also enter into Ihram as soon as they come parallel to Yalamlam or Rabigh, depending on their route.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
