Miqat for Umrah: The Five Miqats and Masjid Aisha Explained
Before Umrah or Hajj, every pilgrim must enter Ihram at a set boundary called a miqat. The Prophet ﷺ fixed these places himself, so that pilgrims from every direction would know where their journey of Ihram begins. Passing a miqat with the intention of Umrah without entering Ihram is a serious mistake that scholars say needs to be corrected.
This guide explains the five miqat points, which one applies to you, what to do if you are already in Makkah or Jeddah, and how to get to Masjid Aisha easily. It is written in simple language; for your personal situation, please ask a qualified scholar.
Key takeaways
- There are five miqats; your route decides which one applies.
- From Madinah, the miqat is Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali).
- If you are already in Makkah, go to Masjid Aisha (Tan’eem) or Ji’ranah.
- Flying into Jeddah? Most scholars advise Ihram before landing; ask your scholar.
In this guide
What is a miqat?
The word miqat means a set time or place. For pilgrims it means the boundary where Ihram must begin. In a famous hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ set Dhul Hulaifah for the people of Madinah, Al-Juhfah for the people of Sham, Qarn al-Manazil for the people of Najd and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen, and said these are for them and for anyone who passes through them intending Hajj or Umrah. Dhat Irq was set for the people of Iraq.
The five miqat points
- Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali): about 10 to 15 km from Masjid an-Nabawi and roughly 420 km from Makkah. This is the furthest miqat, used by pilgrims coming from Madinah.
- Al-Juhfah: near the town of Rabigh, about 180 km north-west of Makkah. Used by pilgrims from the direction of Egypt, Syria and North Africa, and many coming by sea or the coastal road.
- Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sail al-Kabir): about 75 to 80 km east of Makkah on the Taif road. Wadi Mahram, on another road from Taif, is linked to it. Used by people from Najd, Riyadh, Taif and the Gulf.
- Yalamlam (As-Sa’diyyah): about 100 km south of Makkah. Used by pilgrims from Yemen and from the direction of South Asia arriving by sea or air.
- Dhat Irq: about 90 to 100 km north-east of Makkah. Used by people coming from Iraq.
| Miqat | Approx. distance to Makkah | Typically used by |
|---|---|---|
| Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali) | ~420 km | Pilgrims coming from Madinah |
| Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) | ~180 km | From the north-west, coastal road |
| Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sail al-Kabir) | ~75–80 km | From Taif, Riyadh, Najd, Gulf |
| Yalamlam (As-Sa’diyyah) | ~100 km | From the south (Yemen direction) |
| Dhat Irq | ~90–100 km | From the north-east (Iraq direction) |
I am flying into Jeddah. Where is my miqat?
Jeddah lies inside the miqat boundaries for most people coming from outside. Planes from South Asia, Europe, North America and the Far East pass over or close to one of the miqats before landing. That is why many pilgrims put on Ihram clothes before boarding or on the plane, and make the intention when the crew announces that the miqat is near.
Some scholars have discussed whether Jeddah itself can be a miqat for air travellers; most major fatwa bodies advise entering Ihram before reaching Jeddah if you are coming from outside with the intention of Umrah. Since this is a matter of fiqh, follow the guidance of your scholar. If you are a resident of Jeddah or you came to Jeddah for another purpose and only later decided on Umrah, then Jeddah itself is your place of Ihram.
I am travelling from Madinah to Makkah
Your miqat is Dhul Hulaifah, known today as Masjid Dhul Hulaifah or Abyar Ali. It is just outside Madinah, with large washrooms and changing areas. If you go by private car, ask your driver to stop there. Zikr Cabs’ Madinah to Makkah taxi includes this stop on request. If you take the Haramain train, you will pass the miqat on the train, so wear Ihram clothes before boarding and make the intention at the right point.
I am already in Makkah. Where is my miqat?
People staying in Makkah (residents or visitors who already finished one Umrah) must go outside the Haram boundary, to an area called al-Hill, to enter Ihram for a new Umrah. This is based on the hadith where the Prophet ﷺ told Abdur-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr to take his sister Aisha (may Allah be pleased with them) to Tan’eem to make Ihram for Umrah (Bukhari and Muslim).
The most popular choices are:
- Masjid Aisha (Tan’eem): the closest point, about 7 to 8 km from Masjid al-Haram. Usually 15 to 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
- Masjid al-Ji’ranah: about 25 km north-east of Makkah; the Prophet ﷺ made Ihram from here after the Battle of Hunayn.
- Masjid al-Hudaybiyyah (Shumaisi): on the old Jeddah road.
Staying in Makkah and want another Umrah? Message Zikr Cabs on WhatsApp at +966 59 590 1564 for a fixed price before you travel.
How to visit Masjid Aisha for Ihram
- Make ghusl or wudu at your hotel and bring your Ihram clothes (men) or wear modest clothes (women).
- Take a taxi to Masjid Aisha. There are washrooms and changing areas, but they can be busy.
- Change, pray two rak’ahs if it is not a disliked time, make the intention for Umrah and start the Talbiyah.
- Return to Masjid al-Haram and perform Tawaf and Sa’i.
Our Masjid Aisha return taxi waits while you change and pray, then takes you back to the Haram area. This saves the stress of finding a second taxi in a busy street at night.
Is doing many Umrahs from Tan’eem recommended?
Scholars have different views about doing repeated Umrahs from Tan’eem in one trip. Some encourage it; others say spending more time in Tawaf and worship in the Haram is better. It is a matter of personal choice and scholarly guidance. Whatever you do, keep your Umrah calm and sincere.
Common mistakes at the miqat
- Crossing the miqat on a plane while asleep without having made the intention.
- Leaving Ihram clothes in checked luggage.
- Thinking that Masjid Aisha is the miqat for people arriving from abroad; it is only for those already in Makkah.
- Forgetting the Nusuk Umrah permit; book it before you return to the Haram (see our Nusuk guide).
If you passed a miqat without Ihram, the most common guidance is to go back to that miqat if possible, or to ask a scholar about compensation (dam).
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest miqat to Makkah?
For people already in Makkah, the nearest place to enter Ihram is Masjid Aisha in Tan’eem, about 7 to 8 km from Masjid al-Haram.
Is Masjid Aisha a miqat for people coming from abroad?
No. Masjid Aisha is for people already inside Makkah. People coming from outside must enter Ihram at or before their miqat.
Where is the miqat from Madinah?
Dhul Hulaifah, also known as Abyar Ali, just outside Madinah.
Can I make Ihram in Jeddah?
Residents of Jeddah, and those who decide on Umrah only after arriving in Jeddah, can. Pilgrims flying in with the intention of Umrah are generally advised to enter Ihram before Jeddah. Ask your scholar.
How long does a Masjid Aisha round trip take?
Usually around 1 to 1.5 hours including changing and prayer, depending on traffic.
Can the taxi wait at Masjid Aisha?
Yes. Zikr Cabs offers a return trip where the driver waits for you.
Staying in Makkah and want another Umrah? Message Zikr Cabs on WhatsApp at +966 59 590 1564 for a fixed price before you travel.
Related guides and services
- Masjid Aisha Meeqat return taxi
- Madinah to Makkah taxi with Miqat stop
- Makkah to Taif taxi (Qarn al-Manazil)
- Ihram guide
- All routes and fixed prices
Sources and further reading
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Nusuk – official platform for Umrah, Hajj and Rawdah
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1524 – the miqats (sunnah.com)
- General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta
This guide is general information for pilgrims. Religious rulings can differ between schools of thought, so please ask a qualified scholar about your own situation. Official rules change often; always check the official Nusuk platform and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before you travel.
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