MEEQAT OR MIQAT
Meeqat is an Arabic word; it literally means "a confirmed place". It is a place beyond which no Muslim who is intending to perform Hajj or 'Umrah can go towards Makkah without being in a state of Ihram. For example, the miqat of the people of Madina is Dhul Hulayfa. The ‘meeqats’ are indeed the places appointed and specified by the Messenger of Allah (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) where a pilgrim must enter into the state of ‘Ihram’ if one wishes to perform the pilgrimages of Umrah or Hajj unto the Sacred House of Allah (Glory be to Him) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. If for any reason pilgrim happens to enter into the state of ‘ehram’ after one has crossed the specified places of ‘Meeqat’, one would have to offer a sacrifice as atonement for their violation. [1] Location of Meeqat  The Meeqats (places for assuming Ihram) are five: Dhul Hulaifah, Al-Juhfah, Qarn-ul manaazil, Yalamlam and Dhaatu Irq. They are for those who live there and those who pass by them intending Hajj or 'Umrah. And he whose house is nearer than them to Makkah then he makes Ihram from his house, the people of Makkah making Ihram from Makkah. - DHUL HULAIFAH is the place for the people of Madinah and is a village six or seven miles away - and it is the furthest Meeqat from Makkah - being ten riding stations away - or less depending on the route, there being many routes from there to Makkah as Ibn Taimiyyah points out. And it is called ((waadi ul Aqeeq)) and its masjid is called ((Masjid-ush-shajarah)) (masjid of the Tree), and there is spring there called `the spring of `Ali' by the ignorant masses - believing that `Ali : killed a jinn there - and that is a lie. This miqat is about 9 kilometers from Madinah and about 450 kilometers from Makkah.
- AL-JUHFAH is a village between Madinah and Makkah - about three travel stages away. It is the meeqat for the people of Madinah if they come by this route. Ibn Taimiyyah said: "It is the Meeqat for those who make Hajj from the direction of the west, like the people of Shaam (Greater Syria) and Egypt and the rest of the West. And it is today ruined and deserted; therefore the people now go into Ihram before it in the place called "Raabigh". This miqat is about 190 kilometers to the northwest of Makkah.
- Qarn UL MANAAZIL - which is also called "Qarn-uth-Tha'aalib" is near Makkah - being a day and night's journey away - and is the Meeqat for the people of Najd. This miqat is a hilly place about 90 kilometers to the east of Makkah.
- YALAMLAM is a place two nights distant from Makkah, thirty miles away and is the Meeqat for the people of Yemen. This miqat is a hilly area about 50 kilometers to the southeast of Makkah. This is the miqat for the people of Yemen and others coming from that direction. It is the miqat for many of the pilgrims from China, Japan, India, Pakistan who come by ship.
- DHAATU IRQ is a place out in the desert, marking the border between Najd and Tihaamah, being forty-two miles from Makkah. It is the Meeqat for the people of Iraq. This miqat is about 85 kilometers towards the northeast side of Makkah. This is the miqat for the people of Iran, Iraq and for those coming from that direction.
Significance of Meeqat  Meeqat sets the boundaries of the Haram from all directions approaching Makkah. Upon crossing the Meeqat a person should consider it binding upon himself to respect any rules that may apply to him, as he should consider himself having entered the haram upon crossing the Meeqat. Proceeding in Ihram at the time of crossing the Meeqat is one of the rules binding upon those who enter the haram with the intention of Hajj or Umrah. [2] References [1] http://www.islamhelpline.net/searchtestpage?txtsearch=meeqat [2] http://www.hajinformation.com/main/e101.htm |
