Meeqat is a boundary and specific place where Muslims intending to perform Umrah Hajj and wear Ihram. Muslims must enter the state of Ihram and make a pure intention to perform Umrah. From that boundary onwards, Muslims are prohibited from doing any Haram actions that can cause harm to pure intentions. The Holy Quran does not mention any specific saying about Meeqat and its importance but our beloved Prophet (PBUH) has taught about the locations of Meeqat and its importance for people coming from different regions. Muslims are supposed to follow the rules of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to perform Umrah and they have been specially instructed to adopt the state of Ihram before entering the boundary of Meeqat. In the Holy Quran the boundary Meeqat is not specifically mentioned but “Meeqat” is used in the context of fixed time or appointing time. As the Holy Quran states:
“إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْفَصْلِ كَانَ مِيقَاتًا“
“Indeed, the day of Judgment is an appointed time Meeqat”
(Surah An-Naba 78:17)
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Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) defining the locations of Meeqat
Holy Prophet PBUH teaches pilgrims to wear Ihram at a designated boundary so they can take care of sanctity and sacredness of respectable places of mecca and Madinah. Our Prophet PBUH entered into the state of Ihram from Dhul Hulayfah for Hajj and Umrah. Furthermore, the specific Meeqat where our Prophet wears Ihram depends on the route and regions from where he is travelling. Our Prophet has done this to teach his followers so they can learn the importance of Meeqat and wearing Ihram from a distance from sacred places. It signifies the importance of purity and letting go of all Haram and prohibited actions before entering this specific boundary line.
Hadith of the Prophet:
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: وقّت رسولُ الله ﷺ لأهلِ المدينةِ ذو الحليفة، ولأهلِ الشامِ الجُحفة، ولأهلِ نجدٍ قرن المنازل، ولأهلِ اليمنِ يلملم
Translation:
The Prophet (PBUH) made Dhul-Hulaifah as the Meeqat for the people of Madinah, Al-Juhfa for the people of Syria, Qarn al-Manazil for the people of Najd, Yalamlam for the people of Yemen.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 1524)
Importance of Meeqat in performing Umrah
It is a very important boundary and Muslims consider it as a sacred boundary where Muslims should adopt a state of purity by wearing the Ihram and making Niyyah. All Haram and other bad actions are prohibited in state of Ihram. It is a specific place for the sacred beginning of the Holy pilgrimage of the Umrah. It signifies the importance of obedience and humility. They adopt a humble and pure mindset of worshipping Allah SWT in the holiest place of Allah. Muslim pilgrims can fulfill the command of the Prophet PBUH by wearing Ihram and making intentions at these points of Meeqat. It is an act to show obedience to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet and Muslims believe that holy Prophet teaches his Ummah meaning lessons that can brings benefits and easiness for them. It is so true that their Pure Niyyah and state of ihram cause them to get rid of all impurities and get ready to offer most sacred Umrah pilgrimage and other sacred worship in the courtyard of Allah SWT.
Spiritual preparation:
It shows spiritual preparation of Muslims for offering Umrah rituals and other holy worships of Allah Almighty. These points are also termed as spiritual checkpoints for Umrah pilgrims to renewal their intention and prepare to perform sacred Umrah rituals.
Unity and Order:
All Muslims travelling for Umrah are performing this noble activity and showing unity and brotherhood among them.
Sharia compliance:
Islamic Sharia of Muslims emphasize on this activity of maintaining sanctity of this sacred place.Sharia encourages purity and adoption ofmodesty once pilgrims enter the state of Ihram. Qiblatain Trusted Umrah Travel Agency in USA that guides Muslim pilgrims at each step of Umrah pilgrimage according to Sharia compliance.
All five main points of Meeqat for pilgrims belong to different origins
Depending on different routes and ways to the Holy Kaaba, there are different Meeqat points for pilgrims. The Holy Prophet PBUH designated five main points to serve pilgrims as Meeqat coming from different regions of the world. As Pilgrims from around the world are travelling towards the Holy Mecca to perform Umrah, so they can enter from different directions and wear ihram at following points of Meeqat.
1. Dhu al-Hulayfah:
Pilgrims coming from Medina and other northern areas can enter from this boundary to wear Ihram.
2. Dhat’Irq:
Pilgrims travelling from Iraq and northeastern sides can pass through this boundary of Meeqat.
3. Juhfah:
For Syrian, Egyptian and North Africans,this point serves as Meeqat, pilgrims can adopt state of Ihram at this point.
4. Qarn al-Manazil:
Pilgrims from the Najd (central Arabia) can wear Ihram at this Meeqat.
5. Yalamlam:
People from Yemen and southern areas can wear Ihram at this point.