Umrah

Meeqat in Hajj & Umrah

Temporal & Geographical Boundaries

The Meeqat represents the designated boundaries (both in time and location) where pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram before proceeding to Makkah.

A satirical, isometric map of the Meeqat boundaries and routes leading to the Kaaba in Mecca. At the center is a highly detailed Kaaba surrounded by miniature figures in Ihram and traditional clothing. Around the central image, labeled locations and illustrated icons with arrows depict the designated Meeqat points: "Dhul Hulayfah" with a camel rider, "Dhat Irq" with a caravan of camels, "Qarn al-Manazil" with an old-style well and palm tree, "Meeqat from South Asia" with a dhow sailboat, and "Al-Juhfah" with a massive modern container cargo ship. The arrows show the directions from these points to the central destination, "Mecca (The Destination)." The overall art style is a blend of realistic 3D mapping and playful, detailed miniature modeling. The map is set against a background of textured, hand-painted desert and a deep blue, clear-sky-toned Red Sea.

1. Temporal Meeqat (Time Boundaries)

  • For Hajj: Prescribed during the specific Islamic months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qa’dah, and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).

  • For Umrah: Permissible at any time throughout the entire year.

 

2. Geographical Rulings & Locations

  • Residents Within the Meeqat Radius: Individuals living between the designated Meeqat boundaries and Makkah enter Ihram directly from their homes or residences.

  • Residents of Makkah: Makkah residents performing Umrah must travel outside the sacred precinct (Haram) boundaries—such as to Masjid Aisha (Tan’eem) or Al-Ji’ranah—to assume the state of Ihram.

  • Air Travelers: Pilgrims traveling by air must enter Ihram either before boarding their flight or prior to crossing over the Meeqat boundary in mid-air. (Airlines operating routes to Saudi Arabia typically make an in-flight announcement as the plane approaches the Meeqat).

Muslim pilgrim in white Ihram on a flight preparing to enter the state of Ihram before crossing the Meeqat boundary

3. The 5 Physical Meeqat Locations

  1. Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali):

    • Distance: ~9 km (5.6 mi) from Madinah and ~450 km (280 mi) north of Makkah.

    • Designated For: Pilgrims coming from or through Madinah.

  2. Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabeer):

    • Distance: ~85 km (53 mi) east of Makkah.

    • Designated For: Pilgrims coming from the Najd region (central Saudi Arabia), the Gulf States, and those traveling from the east.

  3. Yalamlam (Sa’diyyah):

    • Distance: Located south of Makkah in the Makkah Province.

    • Designated For: Pilgrims arriving from Yemen and countries coming from the southern sea routes.

  4. Al-Juhfah (Rabigh area):

    • Distance: ~190 km (120 mi) northwest of Makkah.

    • Designated For: Pilgrims arriving from Ash-Sham (Levant region including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine), North Africa, Europe, and North America.

  5. Dhat ‘Irq:

    • Distance: ~85 km (53 mi) northeast of Makkah.

    • Designated For: Pilgrims coming from Iraq, Iran, and neighboring countries en route from the northeast.

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