Understanding the miqat unlocks one of the questions we are asked most on the ground: “We have finished our Umrah, can we do another one, and how?” Here is the concept and the practical steps, respectfully and simply.
What is a miqat?
A miqat is a boundary appointed by the Prophet ﷺ which a pilgrim intending Umrah or Hajj must not cross towards Makkah except in the state of ihram. There are five principal mawaqit, each serving travellers arriving from a different direction, for example Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) near Madinah, which Madinah first pilgrims use, and Yalamlam for those arriving from the south. Pilgrims flying into Jeddah assume ihram before crossing the miqat their route passes, often putting on ihram at the airport or on the plane before the announcement.
Already in Makkah and want another Umrah? The rule of the Hill
A person already inside Makkah who wishes to perform a fresh Umrah does not return to a distant miqat. Instead, they exit the boundary of the Haram into the hill (the area just outside it), assume ihram there, and re enter. The two famous places for this:
Masjid Aisha at Tan’im
The nearest and by far the most used point, only a few kilometres from the Haram on the Madinah road. It is named for our mother Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, whom the Prophet ﷺ sent there with her brother to assume ihram for Umrah. The mosque is large, with washrooms and changing areas, and taxis and local buses shuttle there from the Haram area around the clock, the round trip can take under an hour outside peak times.
Masjid Ji’ranah
Further out on the Taif road, Ji’ranah is where the Prophet ﷺ himself entered ihram for Umrah after the campaign of Hunayn, which gives the visit a special historical sweetness. Expect a longer taxi ride than Tan’im. Many pilgrims choose it precisely for its history when time allows.
The steps, briefly
- Travel out to Tan’im or Ji’ranah, bathe or make wudu, and put on ihram garments (many simply wear them from the hotel).
- Pray if it is a prayer time, make the intention for Umrah, and begin the talbiyah.
- Return to the Haram and perform Umrah as normal, tawaf, two rak’ahs, sa’i, then cutting the hair, exactly as in our step by step Umrah guide.
A word of adab
Scholars hold different views on how many Umrahs are appropriate in a single trip, and energy spent on extra Umrahs is energy not spent on tawaf and prayer in the Haram, which carry immense reward of their own. Our advice is the advice we give our own groups: ask your scholar or your group leader, intend sincerely, and never let repetition become rush. On our guided packages, your leader arranges the Tan’im trip for whoever wishes it, calmly and at the right hour.
Planning the spiritual side of your trip in detail? Talk to us, this is what we love to plan.
