A mīqāt is the principal boundary point of an area, within which Muslim pilgrims on the Ḥajj must be in the state of Iḥrām. These prohibited activities include clipping the nails, shaving any part of the body, having sexual relations; using perfumes, damaging plants, killing animals, covering one's head or one's face and hands ; getting married; or carrying weapons.
The stations
Four of the five miqats were appointed by the Islamic Nabi Muhammad. The fifth miqat was appointed at a later date by Caliph ʿUmar for the convenience of travellers from the newly acquired regions of Iraq and Iran, and later also in use by India and other countries east of the Arabian Peninsula. The miqats are as follows: 1. Dhu'l-Hulayfah, which is about from Medinah, and from Mecca. Dhu'l-Hulayfah is the miqat for those who live in Madinah, and for those who approach Mecca from the direction of Medinah. 2. Al-Juḥfah – about to the northwest of Mecca. This is the miqat for the people who come from the direction of Ash-Shaam. 3. Qarn-ul-Manāzil – also known as Mīqāt Al-Sayl, located from Mecca, in a small town known as As-Sail Al-Kabeer on Highway 40. It serves pilgrims coming from the Najdi region, which is essentially the middle of Saudi Arabia. 4. Yalamlam serves the Ḥujjaj coming from the direction of Yemen. It is a small city in the province of Makkah, situated around southwest of Mecca. 5. Dhāt-i ʿIrq – about northeast of Mecca. It serves pilgrims coming from the direction of Iraq, Iran, and other places en route, and is situated in a very rural location, from Highway 40, the main Ta'if-Riyadh road. If one intends to travel to Makkah for either the Hajj or ʿUmrah, then one should wear one's ihram at these miqats. The state of ihram goes beyond one's clothing, and it is considered important to enter it in a spiritual state of mind.
Entering by air
When flying to Mecca, it is necessary to wear one's ihram before one's plane enters the miqat's zone in the air. A line from the southernmost miqat at Yalamlam to the northwestern miqat at Juhfah includes Jeddahin the zone. Pilgrims either wear the garments of ihram from their airport of departure, or they don them on the plane. Pilots announce entering the miqat about 30 minutes prior, so that pilgrims can go to the restroom and change.
Al-Ḥil
Al-Ḥil refers to the area between the boundaries of the Ḥaram and those of the miqats. Al-Janun, Jeddah, Tanʿim and Khulais are among the towns, cities or places situated within the area. Before crossing the boundary of the Haram, pilgrims living in or travelling through Al-Hil must enter into a state of ihram. For example, a person who travels to Jeddah for a business, and intends to perform 'Umrah at a later stage, can enter into ihram in Jeddah, or before crossing the Haram's boundary. If an individual from Al-Hil has the desire to Mecca for another purpose, such as visiting relatives or friends, or performing Salah at the Haram, then ihram is not needed. However the individual will have to assume ihram at the Haram's boundary, if s/he decides to perform 'Umrah after entering Mecca.
Al-Ḥaram
The Haram is the sacred precinct of Mecca within which certain acts are considered unlawful which may be lawful elsewhere. It is prohibited to hunt wild animals, damage any plant or tree, graze animals, carry weapons, fight, or behave in a manner that will violate the sanctity of Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām. If a violation is carried out within the precinct of the Haram, an animal sacrifice or gift of charity is required as expiation. The boundaries of the Haram are the following: 1. Masjid ʿĀʾishah, also known as Masjid at-Tanʿīm, located about from the Kaaba and away from Mecca, in the direction of Madinah. 2. Aḍāt Laban or Aḍāt Libn – On the road to Yemen, away from Mecca. 3. WādīNakhlah – On the road to Iraq, away from Mecca. 4. 'Arafat – On the road toTa'if, close to Masjid al-Namirah in Arafat, away from Makkah. 5. Masjid al-Jiʿrānah, located about away from Mecca. 6. Masjid al-Ḥudaibiyah, on the road to Jeddah, about away from Makkah.
Additional 'Umrah
If a pilgrim intends to perform an additional 'Umrah, then ihram must be assumed outside the boundary of the Haram before reentering Mecca to carry out the rites of 'Umrah. Many pilgrims choose to enter into the state of ihram at Masjid Aisha, which is the nearest and most convenient location from Al-Masjid al-Haram. The condition to perform 'Umrah from this miqat is that you should be a resident of Mecca, and/or have entered into Mecca for more than 15 days. Transportation to get to this location is readily available near the mosque. Additional 'Umrah, if a person so intends, can be done by assuming Ihram at any of the six miqats. Additional Umrah is a chance to earn more and more rewards for every Muslims, but the should be 7 to 10 days. During Prophet Muhammad's time, the Prophet's wife performed Umrah twice in a short period, and the time interval between the first and the second was less than 20 days. According to Islamic scholars, a pilgrim can perform Umrah once again when he/she can perform the last ritual of 'Umrah. After the implementation of the new visa policies, Umrah must be done within 15 days, most Muslims who are not inhabitants or residents of Saudi Arabia wants to do additional Umrah within a short time interval.
