Passing the Meeqaat (designated point for assuming Ihraam) without Ihraam (ritual consecration) intending to return to a farther Meeqaat

18/10/2010| IslamWeb

Question

I was born in Taa’if and am working in Jeddah. I want to go to Taa’if and accompany my family in order to perform ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), knowing that I will go on Wednesday and I want to perform ‘Umrah on Thursday. Should I assume Ihraam from Jeddah or Taa’if?  

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

The Prophet specified the Meeqats from where pilgrims are required to assume Ihraam. On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, the Prophet said: "…..and whoever is living within these locations can assume Ihraam from his own dwelling place, and the people of Makkah can assume Ihraam from Makkah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Based on this, you should know that your Meeqaat is Jeddah and your family's Meeqaat is Qarn Al-Manaazil or As-Sayl Al-Kabeer, which is the Meeqaat of the people of Najd. Consequently, it is permissible for you to assume Ihraam from Jeddah and then go to Taa’if and accompany your family, who will assume Ihraam either from Taa’if, which is before the Meeqaat, or from the Meeqaat, which is Qarn Al-Manaazil, and this is better.

It is also permissible for you to delay Ihraam until you come to Taa’if and there you can assume Ihraam along with your family or you do so from the Meeqaat. In such a case, you have the same ruling as a person who passed the Meeqaat without assuming Ihraam intending to go back to a farther Meeqaat. This is permissible according to some scholars, as stated by the Shaafi‘i scholars of Fiqh (jurisprudence).  

And Allah knows best.