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In this connection this is worth noticing that on all the four sides of
Mecca, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) : blessings
of Allah and peace be on him) has assigned some distinct places on reaching
where Ihram wearing becomes obligatory for the pilgrims to Mecca irrespective
of the Ihram being for Hajj or Umra. These places are called Miqat, the
plural number of which is Mawaqit. Fixation of Mawaqit has been narrated
in Ahadith-e-Sahi-ha (Authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet) The above
restriction of wearing Ihram on Miqat is general in its imposition on
all residing outside Miqat. Whenever they enter into the precincts of
Miqat with the intention to go to Mecca ; whether their entrance is with
some commercial purposes or in order to pay a visit to their friends or
relatives ; in any case they are under obligation, in relation to the
rights of Bait-Ullah, that they enter Mecca after wearing Ihram from Miqat.
If it is Hajj period, they are to wear Ihram for Hajj, other-
wise they should wear Ihram for Umra and thus pay due homage to Bait-Ullah
first. Only then they are supposed to look after their own business, (Badae).
Anyhow, if the journey to Jedda is not with the intention to go to Mecca,
but instead it is with the intention to reach Jedda or Madina ; in that
case, it is not necessary to wear Ihram from Miqat.
Mawaqit Are Five:
Zulhulaifa. For the persons arriving from the side of Madina. It is at
a distance of about 6 miles from Madina on the road way leading to Mecca.
A mosque is situated here. The place is known as Bir-e-Ali nowadays.
Juhfa. For the pilgrims arriving from the side of Syria. It is
near 'Rabigh', the well known 'Manzil' (station) on the road way of 'Madina'.
Qarn-ul-Manazil. For those coming from 'Najd'.
Yalamlam. For the persons arriving from the direction of 'Yemen'.
It is a hill situated at a distance of about 15 to 20 miles from seashore.
It is in fact a Miqat for the people of Yemen and Aden. In early times
when there was no port at Jedda, the Hajj pilgrims arriving through the
sea passage from India, Pakistan and other eastern countries had to adopt
this route. That is why this is generally understood to be the Miqat for
the people of Pakistan and India as well.
Zat-u-Irq. For the persons coming from the side of Iraq.
The persons traveling on a route not passing through these places will
have to wear 'Ihram' for their entrance in Mecca on the points which may
confront any of these places. This Ihram wearing will, however, be before
entering into these confronting points.
These 'Mawaqit' have been fixed for all those who live anywhere in the
world outside the precincts of Miqat. The whole world outside the precincts
of Miqat is termed to be as Afaq and its inhabiltants are known by the
term of Afaqi.
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