IHRAAM

Wearing Ihraam is obligatory for performing both Hajj and ‘Umrah. If a person intending to perform Hajj is able to observe the conditions of Ihraam, it is recommended for them to wear it when leaving their house. Based on several Ahaadith, it is preferable to enter into Ihraam from the point of departure (i.e. from one's home), as was the practice of some Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum).

However, if a person does not feel able to observe the conditions of Ihraam for an extended period, it is recommended that he wears it at the demarcation of the "Miqaat." It is not wise to attempt to gain extra reward at the risk of violating essential principles. It is normal that when a "mustahabb" act leads to the abandonment of a "waajib" (obligatory act) or the commission of something "haraam" or "makruh," it becomes obligatory to abandon the "mustahabb." In short, for the weak among us in this day and age, it is preferable to wear Ihraam from the Miqaat.

The "Miqaat" refers to the points that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) fixed around Makkah. Any pilgrim outside these points does not have the right to cross them without Ihraam if they intend to go to Makkah. These demarcation points are: (a) Zul Hulaifah, (b) Juhfah, (c) Qarnoul Manaazil, and (d) Yalamlam. According to some Ahaadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) also fixed the "Miqaat" of "Zaat-e-Irq," but this demarcation is attributed to Hadhrat 'Umar (Radiyallaahu Anhu) in Bukhari Shareef and other books of Hadith.

THE PRINCIPLE CONCERNING THE MIQAAT

Any pilgrim crossing a point of the "Miqaat" must be in a state of Ihraam. Violating this rule requires a "dam" (i.e., sacrifice of a sheep or goat in the Haram Shareef — not in the mosque but in the precincts of the Haram Shareef) unless the pilgrim returns to the "Miqaat" to don their Ihraam. In that case, the "dam" is not required.

Any pilgrim who must cross two or more points of the "Miqaat" to reach Makkah is permitted to delay wearing Ihraam until the last "Miqaat." However, it is preferable to do so at the first Miqaat.

Any pilgrim who does not need to cross any "Miqaat" on their way to Makkah must wear his Ihraam from a point "Muhaazaat" with a Miqaat. A traveller will be in "Muhaazaat" with a "Miqaat" when they are facing Makkah and the "Miqaat" lies to his right or left.

THE CASE OF MAURITIAN PILGRIMS

If it is certain that the planes carrying Mauritian pilgrims will fly over Yalamlam (the "Miqaat" located in the east), Mauritian pilgrims will be required to wear their Ihraam before flying over Yalamlam. Yalamlam is one of the hills of Makkah, now referred to as "Saadia." However, following communication established by the Jamiat-ul 'Ulama of Mauritius with the Air Mauritius company, it is clear that our planes will not fly over the "Miqaat." (See air route).

Last year, one of our correspondents also received a telex from Air France, indicating that this airline does not fly over the "Miqaat" either. Below is the text and air route of Air France.

Since these planes will not be flying over the "Miqaat," our pilgrims will not be required to wear their Ihraam before departure. They may, if they wish, postpone it until later. For example, they can wear their Ihraam from a location that is "Muhaazaat" with Yalamlam — i.e., Jeddah. Our pilgrims can, therefore, tie their Ihraam at Jeddah airport as well. However, if someone prefers to do so from his residence, he is welcome to do so, but it is not required, just as it is not sinful to do so at the Jeddah airport.

What has been mentioned above concerns the pilgrims whose planes do not fly over the 'Miqaat'. However, those who travel by planes that will fly over the Miqaat must wear Ihraam before reaching Yalamlam.

QD RUNMVAF

QD RUNMVAF CPYXXXX

JEDUDAF

" JEDKKAF 152342/0191601

JUL 87

RYT 150959 STP VOLS

DO NOT PASS ABOVE THE MIQAAT PLEASE

REGD ALLAGUI

+ 07152342

[English version of "‎Ihraam" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 8]