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Meaning of Miqaats
Miqaats is the plural of Miqaat, which is an appointed time for something or the subject matter for which a time is appointed. Allah, the Almighty, said: Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time [miqaat] - The Miqaat is also the place appointed to do something, such as the Miqaat of Hajj. Miqaats are of two types: Temporal and spatial.
Why are there special sites for Ihram called (Miqaats)?
It is a sign of the glorification of Allah’s Sacred House and the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. Moreover, as He, may He be Glorified and Exalted, made Makkah a sacred place, and the Haram area a sanctuary, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was inspired to appoint certain places before reaching Makkah, which those coming to perform Hajj or Umrah may not go beyond without assuming Ihram out of respect for Allah, the Almighty, and His Sacred House. From these Miqaats, the Talbiyah begins before reaching the precincts of the Grand Mosque. After defining these Miqaats, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: These places are for the people (coming from the specified countries) as well as for others, who pass by them on their way to perform Hajj or Umrah. These points differ in their distance from and proximity to Makkah, according to the destination. The Hajj and Umrah performers who live beyond these points must assume Ihram when they get there, or at other places adjacent to and parallel to them on the way, whether by air or land.
Temporal Miqats
Allah, the Almighty, set specific Miqaats for Hajj, as He said: Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. The above-mentioned months of Hajj are three: Shawwal, Dhul-Qi'dah, and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. As for Umrah, there is no specific time for it; it may be performed at any time throughout the year.
Spatial Miqaats
Allah, the Almighty, appointed spatial Miqaats for the people coming from Islamic countries, which were detailed by His Messenger (peace be upon him). Every pilgrim must assume Ihram from the Miqaat he passes by on his way. When he reaches the Miqaat designated to his country, he must stop in order to enter Ihram, as it is forbidden for him to pass beyond the Miqaat without entering Ihram. If he trespasses it without entering Ihram, he must return to it. If he assumes Ihram after he goes past this Miqaat, he must offer a Fidyah (compensation). Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) designated Dhul-Hulaifah as the Miqaat for the people of Al-Madinah, Al-Juhfah for the people Ash-Sham, Qarn Al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen and said: These places are for the people (coming from the specified countries) as well as for others, who pass by them on their way to perform Hajj or ’Umrah.
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