Hajj is the cherished aspiration of every believer. Since it involves a significant expenditure of wealth, energy, and time, the Hajj journey must be undertaken in a way that it is accepted. To ensure this, many aspects need to be taken care of even before the journey begins. Preparations must be thorough so that not even a single voluntary act is missed.
Once the desire to perform Hajj arises, the first step is to consult righteous and knowledgeable individuals about matters related to the Hajj journey. Then one must free oneself from all worldly dealings. If one has wronged or offended anyone, it is essential to seek their forgiveness. If there are outstanding debts, they must be paid off or at least an agreement should be reached with the creditors. It is vital to ensure that no part of the funds set aside for Hajj is earned through prohibited means.
As with other journeys, it is not advisable to travel alone for Hajj. Care should be taken to select a good travel group. It is meritorious if the journey begins on a Thursday and if it starts shortly after sunrise. Though the date and time of the flight are scheduled in advance by the authorities and may not align with these preferences, departing from home during the early morning can help attain the associated Sunnah.
One should specifically offer the Sunnah prayer for travel—two rak‘ahs—immediately before departure, with the intention: “I perform two rak‘ahs of Sunnah prayer for travel for the sake of Allah.” This prayer is Sunnah for any permissible journey. Before leaving home, one should supplicate, recite the prescribed dhikr for departure, and recite Ayat al-Kursi (Qur’an 2:255). It is also recommended to perform some act of charity before leaving, for the Prophet taught that charity wards off calamities.
The Intention for Hajj and the Place for Making Intention
As previously mentioned, Hajj has a designated time. The act of making intention for Hajj is known as entering into ihram. The time for entering ihram for Hajj extends from the 1st of Shawwal (the 10th lunar month) until just before dawn on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th lunar month). One can enter ihram at any time during this period. Outside this window, the intention for Hajj is invalid. Unlike Hajj, there is no time restriction for Umrah, but those who have entered ihram for Hajj are not permitted to perform Umrah during that period.
For those intending to visit the sacred Kaaba for Hajj or Umrah, specific locations have been designated for entering ihram. These are known as Miqat.
Two Terms That Require Special Attention
- Ihram: The act of making intention for Hajj or Umrah.
- Miqat: The place from which one must make the intention (enter ihram) for Hajj or Umrah.
After bathing and purifying oneself, men should wear two white seamless garments—one to wrap around the waist and the other over the shoulders—as part of entering ihram for Hajj or Umrah. Once in ihram, one is physically and spiritually engaged in the rites of Hajj or Umrah.
Those approaching Mecca from outside the boundaries of the Haram must enter ihram at one of the designated miqats. These are five in total, and people coming from different directions must enter ihram at the appropriate miqat or a location directly aligned with it. It is a transgression to pass the miqat without entering ihram. If one does so, they must return to the miqat to enter ihram or offer expiation (dam). One can also enter ihram before reaching the miqat.
Those residing between the miqat and Mecca should enter ihram from their own location, regardless of whether they are locals or not. For residents of Mecca, the miqat for Hajj is Mecca itself. However, to perform Umrah, even Mecca’s residents must go outside the Haram boundary and enter ihram.
The Five Miqats
- Dhul-Hulaifah (Abyar ‘Ali): Located about 420 km from Mecca, this is the farthest miqat and is on the Mecca–Medina route. It is the place where the Prophet ﷺ entered into ihram for Hajj, making it especially significant. Pilgrims visiting Medina often enter ihram from here on their way to Mecca.
- Juhfah: Near Rabigh, approximately 190 km from Mecca. This is the miqat for those coming from the direction of Tabuk in northern Saudi Arabia.
- Qarn al-Manazil: Located in the Wadi Muharram region near Ta’if. Pilgrims traveling from the Riyadh area typically pass this miqat. It is around 80 km from Mecca.
- Yalamlam: A mountain located about 120 km to the south of Mecca. This is the designated miqat for those coming by sea from India and other regions.
- Dhat ‘Irq (also known as Malīkh): Situated about 100 km from Mecca. Any person intending to perform Hajj or Umrah who passes through any of these five miqats must enter ihram at that point. It is not restricted by nationality but rather by which route one takes. If one’s route does not pass directly through a miqat, they must enter ihram before reaching a point aligned with it.
If one is traveling to Mecca for business or other worldly purposes, entering ihram is not obligatory. However, it is Sunnah for such individuals to enter ihram and perform Umrah during their visit.
