Hajj or Makkah pilgrimage is a very spiritual experience to the greatest number of Muslims. It is a path that is characterized by devotion, purification and ancient rites that connect the current to the previous one. The principle of initiating this holy experience is that special frontier is defined which is referred to as miqat and when a pilgrim passes past it, he/she cannot do it without entering a state of the holiness known as Ihram. The Miqat is not just an expedient, it is an initial step of spiritual and bodily.
The guide will be informing you about everything you need to know about the Miqat. We shall speak of its history and religious worth, find out where the pilgrims arrive at this holy border line, and what are the ceremonies which must be observable when there. These are among the most important rules whereby knowing them, you are assured that you will be going to your pilgrimage with a mission a sense of sacredness as well as a peaceful state of mind.
Miqat (miyqt) is an Arabic word meaning a stated time or place. Concerning Hajj and Umrah, it means the geographical boundaries, which were determined by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and beyond which no one, who is planning to do the pilgrimage, can cross without entering the state of Ihram. This state contains certain intentions, prayers and wearing of special simple clothes. Failure to take the Miqat without taking Ihram means one has to pay a fine which serves to remind the pilgrims of its significance in the pilgrimage ritual. These locations are also strategic along the main routes to Makkah and therefore pilgrims throughout the world can equip themselves to enter the most holy of places in the Islamic religion.
The Spiritual Significance of the Miqat
Miqat is not a border only physically. It is a spiritual door, an exit of the world of the material (dunya) and the entry of the world of incomparable purity. Shedding the baggage of his/her daily life, the role, wealth, and earthly concerns and taking the stance of yielding, servitude to God, a pilgrim does so upon arriving at the Miqat, especially when embarking on Umrah Packages from Chicago.
The process of getting into Ihram is a symbol of this transition. In the case of men they are to wear two plain unstitched white cloths and in case of women, simple garments, which cover their bodies leaving their face and hands open. The dress code makes all the pilgrims the same regardless of social status or nationality and before Allah, they are the same. It is a very strong rebuttal that before God, piety and devotion is what counts and not material wealth and status.
With these limits, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provided a structure that leads the mind and heart of the pilgrim to the sacredness of Hajj and Umrah. The ceremonies at the Miqat- cleansing, praying, and the intending (niyyah) of the pilgrim focus his attention on the religious motive of his/her journey. It is conscious disillusionment with the ordinary and a conscious act of walking into the divine.
The Five Designated Miqat Locations
It has five major Miqat destinations, where pilgrims coming along a particular direction are expected to attend. These points were specified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself and it has been followed during more than fourteen centuries.
1. Dhu'l-Hulayfah (also known as Abyar Ali)
Dhu'l-Hulayfah Miqat of pilgrims arriving in Madinah direction or areas further north is located approximately 9 kilometers of Madinah and about 450 kilometers north of Makkah. Pilgrims visiting the Prophet first visit the Mosque of Prophet Madinah, and it is here that they Ihram before visiting Makkah. It is the furthest Miqat of the Holy City.
2. Al-Juhfah (near Rabigh)
Al-Juhfah is the specified Miqat of pilgrims whose origins lie in or pass through areas such as Syria, Egypt, Morocco and other areas of Africa and Europe. Nowadays, there are large numbers of pilgrims going into Ihram in the adjacent city of Rabigh that is only a short distance away, at least, of the original location of Al-Juhfah.
3. Qarn al-Manazil (also known as As-Sail Al-Kabeer)
Qarn al-Manazil is situated approximately 90 kilometers eastwards of Makkah. Not only do pilgrims of the Najd region, including Riyadh and other parts of the central located Saudi Arabia use the Miqat, but also those traveling to the country by land, air, and sea through such countries as UAE, Oman, Pakistan, Australia and Malaysia. It has other contemporary facilities such as giant mosques and ablution to settle the enormous number of pilgrims.
4. Yalamlam (also known as As-Sa'diyah)
Yalamlam is the Miqat of the pilgrims coming to Makkah via Yemen and other southern parts and even those coming by sea by countries such as India and some parts of the southeast Asia. The Yalamlam facilities have been created to meet the needs of pilgrims who are coming into Ihram.
5. Dhat Irq (also known as Ad-Dareebah)
Dhat Irq is a place located around 90 kilometers north east of Makkah and is the Miqat of the pilgrims who enter Iraq, Iran and other countries towards the northeast. Although it is not extensively utilized in time compared to the other Miqat points, it is an established boundary to those coming in this direction.
How to Determine Your Miqat
It may be a puzzle to the contemporary pilgrims particularly those that are applying the air traveling to know the appropriate Miqat. They are usually announced upon approaching Miqat boundary which allows the pilgrims to repeat the Talbiyah and declare their intention in the air when flying to Jeddah or Madinah to Hajj and Umrah.
Here are some guidelines:
Traveling via Madinah
Suppose that you take the first assumption of going to Madinah, then your Miqat will be Dhu'l-Hulayfah. Therein enter Ihram, and by road to Makkah.
Flying to Jeddah
The Miqat boundaries even include Jeddah. So, pilgrims flying to Jeddah directly will have to enter Ihram prior to landing the plane. The majority of international flights will pass over one of the Miqat points (mostly Al-Juhfah or Yalamlam). It is also essential to ensure that you already have conducted your rituals of purification (ghusl) and that you have put on your Ihram clothes before flying or doing it on the plane when the announcement is made.
Traveling by Land
In case you are on a road trip within Saudi Arabia or other countries, one of the five specified Miqat points will be encountered along your path based on your path.
Just in case, it is always wise to seek advice with your travel agent or a religious scholar, prior to the travel. It is better to prepare and have a stress-free and smooth beginning to your pilgrimage.
Rituals Performed at the Miqat
After a pilgrim has arrived to the required Miqat, he/she has to pass through a number of rituals to make sure that the state of Ihram is proper.
Purification (Ghusl)
Prior to Ihram clothes wearing it is highly advisable (Sunnah) to take a full ritual bath (ghusl). Where water is not available, it is enough to undergo wudu (ablution). This washing of the body symbolizes spiritual washing.
Wearing Ihram Garments
Men transform to the unstitched white two pieces, and women put on their desired modest clothes. Perfume can be put on the body then intention made but not on Ihram clothes.
Offering Prayer
One should be recommended to offer a two rakah prayer, as the next step after purification. This is optional prayer and is done with an aim of entering Ihram.
Making the Intention (Niyyah)
Karn al-Manazil is located within an area of about 90 kilometers east of Makkah. Pilgrims of the Najd region, such as Riyadh and other countries of the central located Saudi Arabia use the Miqat but also pilgrims traveling to the country by land, air, and sea through such countries as UAE, Oman, Pakistan, Australia and Malaysia. It possesses other modern amenities including enormous mosques and ablution as a way of accommodating the very huge population of pilgrims.
Reciting the Talbiyah
Being so stated, the pilgrim begins with a prayer of submission or Talbiyah which he/she will say throughout the journey to Makkah:
Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la sharika laka Labbayk, Inna al-hamda wa-ni'mata, laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
(Here I am, O Allah, here I am. And this here I am, You have no partner, here I am. All Glory to You is glory, glory, power, power. You have no partner.)
When these steps are done, then the pilgrim is technically in a state of Ihram and should follow the restrictions of their Ihram till the completion of the rites of Umrah or Hajj.
Learning how to move in the rules of Miqat is one of the basic steps of Hajj and Umrah preparations. To pilgrims who have to book their trip with Hajar Travels, our experienced staff will guide you in all areas of the pilgrimage including knowing the appropriate Miqat to use in your route of travel. We make you know when and how to go into the state of Ihram, whether you are flying to Jeddah, or have a stop at Madinah. We aim at doing the logistical part of things so that you can focus all your efforts on the spiritual relevancy of your trip so that you have a hassle free and spiritually satisfying experience at the very first step.
Begin Your Journey with Confidence
The entry point to Hajj and Umrah religious practices is the Miqat. It dwells in the location of radical change when a pilgrim puts the world behind when s/he enters the world of prayer. You do not merely respect the tradition of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) learning of its value and practicing its rituals, but also prepare to meet the divine.
In Hajar Travels, we will make your pilgrimage the best you have ever had. We provide in details all the steps of the pilgrimage, the procedure of the Miqat preparation up to the Makkah last rituals. We shall see that you arrive at this sacred journey with peace and tranquility.
