What is Miqat for Umrah?

What is Miqat for Umrah? The literal meaning of Umrah is to visit the populated places. The difference between Hajj and Umrah is that Hajj is compulsory and Umrah is Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Umrah can be performed at any time of the year but hajj can only be performed on specific dates. 

Muslims all over the world visit Mecca with the intention of Umrah throughout the year. As you all know that Miqat is the place from where pilgrims start their journey for Umrah and wear Ihram. If pilgrims cross the boundary of miqat without Ihram then it is obligatory to sacrifice an animal. Hence it's an important step in Umrah.

Miqat names and locations

As we all know that there are several miqat in Mecca which are visited by people before starting their Umrah. Dhul Hulayfah is the miqat for pilgrims of Medina and outside of Medina who intend to perform Umrah by crossing the boundary of Medina. It is situated in the north of Mecca. Al-Juhfah is the meeqath for people of Europe, Turkey, North America, Algeria, and Sudan, Syria and Egypt and the people of African countries. It is situated at the north west of Makkah. Qarn al-Manazil is the miqat situated near Ta’if and is visited by the pilgrims of Pakistan, Oman, UAE, Malaysia, and Singapore. Dhat Irq is miqat which is visited by the pilgrims of China, Iraq, Iran, and Russia. It is situated 90 KM northeast of Mecca. Yalamlam is the miqat situated 100 km in the south of Mecca and the pilgrims of Nigeria and South Africa visit this place.

If pilgrims are living at the boundary of Mecca they should wear Ihram from their home. People who live in Medina should visit Masjid e Aisha to wear Ihram. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) had put her Ihram on in this Masjid. Masjid e Taneem is one of the best miqat for Umrah. It is situated at a distance of 5 miles from the Holy Kaaba. This Masjid is visited by pilgrims of Mecca.

If you are flying to Mecca and entering miqat in the air then you can enter in a state of ihram during flight. Pilgrims can also wear ihram at the airport or during flight when pilots announce that plane is going to enter miqat zone after 30 minutes. In this way, pilgrims get enough time for wearing ihram before crossing the boundary of miqat. For the additional Umrah, the pilgrim is supposed to wear ihram outside the boundary of Mecca.  All these places were specified by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).