Al-Mawaqit of Time and Place

Question

What are Al-Mawaqit of place and time in reference to Hajj and 'Umrah?

Answer


Al-Mawaqit of time for Hajj are the month of Shawwal, Thul-Qa'dah and the first 10 days of Thul-Hijjah. A person may not assume Ihram for Hajj except during these times. Allah said:

"The Hajj is during well-known months (Shawwal, Thul-Qa'dah and the first 10 days of Thul-Hijjah), so whoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor argue unjustly during the Hajj." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 197)

Therefore, whoever assumes Ihram during these times for Hajj, his Ihram is correct. However, he must remain in Ihram until he stands at 'Arafat on the day of 'Arafah (the 9th of Thul-Hijjah).

In reference to 'Umrah, there is no specific time for it. Rather, it is correct to perform it throughout the entire year. The best Umrah is that which is performed during Ramadhan, as it is equivalent (in reward) to a Hajj.

Concerning Al-Mawaqit of place, the first of them is Thul-Hulayfah for the people of Al-Madinah. Its distance from Al-Madinah is about 6 miles, and it is about 10 days' journey from Makkah by camel. The common people now call it Abyar Ali.

The second is Al-Juhfah and it is about 3 days' journey from Makkah (by camel). It has been demolished and now the people assume Ihram from Rabigh, which is a little before it. This is Miqat for the people of Ash-Sham (Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon), Egypt and (i.e., all the way to) Morocco if they do not pass through Al-Madinah.

The third is Qarnul-Manazil, which is two days' journey (by camel) from Makkah. It is now known as As-Sayl AI-Kabir and its uppermost part to the west is known as Wadi Muhrim. This is the Miqat of the people of Najd, At- Ta'if and whoever passes by that way.

The fourth is Yalamlam, which is two days' journey or more (by camel) from Makkah. Now it is own as As-Sa'diyyah and the people of Al-Yemen assume Ihram from it and whoever else passes by it.

Whoever does not have a Miqat on his way, he assumes Ihram when he reaches the same distance parallel to the closest Miqat to him. It makes no difference if his route is by land, sea or air. The person who is riding in an airplane, assumes Ihram when he reaches the area of the Miqat or he assumes it before that in order to be safe so that does not pass it before assuming his Ihram. Whoever assumes Ihram after passing the Miqat, he must sacrifice an animal to make up for this mistake. And Allah knows best.


Ash-Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (Rahimahullah)


Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 4 Pages 78-79