Miqat Al-Juhfah is the miqat of the people of Sham, and in practice of pilgrims from Egypt, Morocco and the rest of North Africa. It lies about 180 km north-west of Makkah, near Rabigh on the Red Sea coast. This is where those pilgrims enter Ihram on the way to Makkah for Umrah or Hajj.
However, the name causes confusion. The original village was swept away by a flood, so many people ask whether the miqat is Al-Juhfah, Rabigh or both. This guide answers that, shows who uses it (and who does not), and explains how to stop here by taxi. It was last updated on 27 October 2026.
Miqat Al-Juhfah: Quick Facts
Miqat Al-Juhfah at a glance
| Also called | Al-Juhfah, Al-Juhfa, Juhfah, Miqat Rabigh. The earlier name was Mahya'ah |
| Arabic | الجحفة |
| Location | North-west of Makkah, near Rabigh on the Red Sea coast, Makkah Province |
| Distance to Makkah | About 178 to 187 km depending on the source; roughly 200 km by road from Rabigh town |
| Miqat for | People of Sham (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine), Egypt, Morocco and pilgrims from Africa |
| Not the miqat for | Pilgrims coming from Madinah. They use Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) |
| Hadith source | Sahih al-Bukhari 1524 |
| Taxi with a miqat stop | Fixed price per car, driver waits while you enter Ihram |
What Is Miqat Al-Juhfah?
Miqat Al-Juhfah is one of the five miqats, the boundaries a person intending Umrah or Hajj must not pass without Ihram. In the hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (Sahih al-Bukhari 1524), the Prophet ﷺ fixed Dhul-Hulayfah 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.
According to Saudipedia, the place was first called Mahya'ah and became known as Al-Juhfah after a flood swept through the village and carried off its inhabitants. The same source describes it as lying north-west of Makkah, near the Rabigh governorate, on a route used by pilgrims who do not pass through Madinah.
If you are new to this topic, our guide to the miqat for Umrah explains all five miqats side by side.
Where Is Al-Juhfah and How Far Is It From Makkah?
Al-Juhfah is about 180 km north-west of Makkah, close to Rabigh. Sources do not agree on the exact figure because they measure to different points on the old site and the modern road.
| Source | Distance from Makkah | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Saudipedia | About 178 km | Site near Rabigh Governorate |
| Wikipedia | About 179 km (111 miles) | North-west of Mecca |
| Arab News (2026 discovery report) | About 182 km | Site on the Egyptian pilgrimage route |
| Rabigh town to Makkah by road | About 200 km, around 2 hours | Travel estimate from rome2rio, not a miqat figure |
| Jeddah to Rabigh by road | About 190 km | Road distance, estimate |
A simple way to remember it: Al-Juhfah sits roughly twice as far from Makkah as Qarn al-Manazil (the Taif miqat), and less than half as far as Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali).
Al-Juhfah or Rabigh: Where Do You Enter Ihram?
Pilgrims today enter Ihram in the Rabigh area, which is where the old Al-Juhfah boundary lies. The original village is a historic site, not a living town, so most travellers use the mosques and facilities at Rabigh.
Saudipedia notes two mosques tied to the old site: one at the entrance of the village, in a place called 'Azwar, and Masjid al-A'immah near the two markers at the far end that show where the boundary lies. Because the old village is now ruins, your driver or Umrah operator will usually take you to the mosque in Rabigh used by pilgrims.
Who Enters Ihram at Al-Juhfah?
Al-Juhfah is the miqat for the people of Sham, Egypt and North Africa, and for anyone travelling to Makkah by the north-west coastal route who has not passed another miqat. Saudipedia lists the people of the Levant, Egypt, Morocco and pilgrims from Africa.
الشام
Sham (Levant)
Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. The people the Prophet ﷺ named for Al-Juhfah.
مصر
Egypt
Travelling by road or sea along the north-west route to Makkah.
المغرب
Morocco and North Africa
Pilgrims from the Maghreb who arrive on the coastal route.
أفريقيا
Africa
Saudipedia lists pilgrims from Africa among those who use it.
| Your journey | Where you enter Ihram |
|---|---|
| From Sham, Egypt or North Africa by road via the north-west coast | Al-Juhfah / Rabigh |
| From Madinah to Makkah | Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali), not Al-Juhfah. See our Madinah to Makkah taxi |
| From Taif or Riyadh via Taif | Qarn al-Manazil. See the Taif miqat guide |
| From Yemen or the south | Yalamlam |
| Already inside Makkah, wanting another Umrah | No miqat. Go outside the Haram, such as Masjid Ayesha |
Please note that Madinah is a common mix-up. Some pages say Al-Juhfah is for pilgrims arriving from Madinah. According to the hadith, Madinah has its own miqat at Dhul-Hulayfah, and a pilgrim leaving Madinah enters Ihram there.
Flying to Jeddah: What About Al-Juhfah?
If you fly in, you do not stop at Al-Juhfah. The miqat is crossed in the air, so the intention for Umrah is made before the plane reaches it. Jeddah is inside the miqat boundaries, so landing there means you have already passed the line.
Flight paths differ by airline, so listen for the crew's miqat announcement.
Wikipedia notes that pilots usually announce the miqat about 30 minutes ahead, so pilgrims have time to change. It also notes that scholars differ on whether Ihram can be worn before boarding or must be entered at the miqat in the air. Because this is a matter of ruling, please ask a qualified scholar or your Umrah operator about your own flight.
In other words, we can explain the travel side, but we cannot decide the ruling for you.
Taxi to Rabigh and Makkah
A private taxi can take you to the Rabigh miqat, wait while you enter Ihram, and continue to Makkah at a fixed price per car. Searches for Jeddah to Rabigh have grown strongly this year, which suggests more travellers are planning this stop.
| Route | Approx. distance | Approx. time* |
|---|---|---|
| Jeddah to Rabigh | About 190 km | About 2 hours |
| Rabigh to Makkah | About 200 km | About 2 hours |
| Jeddah Airport to Makkah | About 80 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
- From Jeddah or Jeddah Airport: a trip to Rabigh and on to Makkah is a long day, so book a car that suits your group and luggage from our vehicles.
- From Madinah: use the Dhul-Hulayfah stop instead. See Madinah to Makkah taxi.
- If you have already passed a miqat without Ihram: do not guess. Ask a scholar first. If the answer is to return to a miqat, we can arrange the trip.
In addition, prices are a fixed amount per car, not per person, and are confirmed on WhatsApp before you travel. Arriving at the airport instead? See our Jeddah to Makkah taxi.
Taxi to Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) and on to Makkah
Fixed price per car · driver waits while you enter Ihram · hotel or airport pickup
What to Do at the Miqat
At the miqat you make wudu, change into Ihram, pray, make the intention for Umrah and begin the Talbiyah. The stop usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare before you arrive. Many pilgrims take a bath at the hotel and put on the Ihram sheets before leaving.
- Stop at the mosque. Ask your driver to park and wait.
- Make wudu and pray. Many pilgrims pray two rak'ah, or the obligatory prayer if it is time.
- Make the intention for Umrah and recite the Talbiyah. From this moment the rules of Ihram apply.
- Continue to Makkah and keep reciting the Talbiyah, then perform Tawaf and Sa'i and shorten or shave the hair.
This is practical travel guidance, not a fatwa. For the detailed rules of Ihram, follow a scholar you trust.
History of Al-Juhfah and the 2026 Discovery
Al-Juhfah has been a pilgrim station since the earliest years of Islam, and in June 2026 the Saudi Heritage Commission reported more than 1,700 finds at the site. According to Saudipedia, the Prophet ﷺ visited Al-Juhfah several times, stopped there with Abu Bakr on his migration from Makkah to Madinah, and made his last visit in 632 CE on the way to the Farewell Pilgrimage.
1,700+ finds
Pottery, glass, stones, shells, beads and metal objects from the first survey phase.
6 pottery kilns
Evidence of local production for the town on the pilgrim road.
13 tombstones
Some dating to the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
A water canal
Likely used by pilgrims and travellers on the route.
Arab News reported the announcement on 4 June 2026, with the survey carried out with the University of Exeter. The finds point to links with the Levant, Egypt and Abyssinia, and the work is part of a wider effort to document landmarks along the Hijrah route between Makkah and Madinah. Saudipedia also describes the remains of a walled city of black basalt, a fortress, a circular pool and an underground canal with vertical wells.
Al-Juhfah Compared With the Other Miqats
| Miqat | Distance from Makkah | For pilgrims from |
|---|---|---|
| Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) | About 400 to 450 km | Madinah |
| Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) | About 180 km | Sham, Egypt, North Africa |
| Qarn al-Manazil | About 75 to 95 km | Najd, the Gulf, the Taif road |
| Yalamlam | About 85 to 130 km | Yemen, the south, many South Asia flights |
| Dhat Irq | About 90 to 100 km | Iraq and the north-east |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Saying Al-Juhfah is the miqat for Madinah. It is not. Madinah uses Dhul-Hulayfah.
- Looking for a town called Al-Juhfah. The old village is ruins. Search for the Rabigh miqat mosque used by pilgrims and confirm it with your driver.
- Entering Ihram after the boundary. Make the intention before you pass it, on the road or in the air.
- Trusting one distance figure. Sources range from 178 to 187 km; use the mosque name in your map app.
- Confusing it with Masjid Ayesha. That is for people already in Makkah. See our Masjid Ayesha guide.
- Booking a car that is too small for your group and luggage on a long drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Miqat Al-Juhfah?
Miqat Al-Juhfah is the miqat the Prophet ﷺ fixed for the people of Sham. It lies about 180 km north-west of Makkah near Rabigh, and pilgrims from Sham, Egypt and North Africa enter Ihram there.
Where is Al-Juhfah and how far is it from Makkah?
Al-Juhfah is north-west of Makkah near Rabigh on the Red Sea coast. Saudipedia gives about 178 km, Wikipedia about 179 km and Arab News about 182 km.
Is Al-Juhfah the same as Rabigh?
They are closely linked. The original village of Al-Juhfah was destroyed by a flood, so pilgrims today enter Ihram in the Rabigh area, which lies on the same boundary. Confirm the exact mosque with your driver or operator.
Who enters Ihram at Al-Juhfah?
The people of Sham (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine), Egypt, Morocco and North Africa, and pilgrims from Africa who travel by the north-west coastal route.
Is Al-Juhfah the miqat for Madinah?
No. Pilgrims coming from Madinah enter Ihram at Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali). Al-Juhfah is for the people of Sham and the north-west route.
Where do I enter Ihram if I fly from Egypt or Europe to Jeddah?
Jeddah is inside the miqat boundaries, so Ihram is entered in the air before the plane reaches the miqat. Pilots usually announce it about 30 minutes ahead. Ask a scholar or your operator about your flight.
Why was the old Al-Juhfah abandoned?
According to Saudipedia, a flood swept through the village and carried off its inhabitants, and it became known as Al-Juhfah after that. Today it is a historic and archaeological site.
What was found at Al-Juhfah in 2026?
The Saudi Heritage Commission reported more than 1,700 finds in June 2026, including pottery, glass, six pottery kilns, a water canal and 13 tombstones from the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
How far is Rabigh from Jeddah and Makkah?
Rabigh is about 190 km from Jeddah and about 200 km from Makkah by road, roughly 2 hours each way in normal traffic. These are approximate figures.
Can a taxi take me to Rabigh and wait while I enter Ihram?
Yes. Flyer Umrah Taxi can take you to the miqat, wait while you make wudu, change and enter Ihram, then drive you to Makkah. The price is fixed per car and confirmed on WhatsApp first.
What if I pass the miqat without Ihram?
Do not guess. Stop when it is safe and ask a qualified scholar what applies in your case, as scholars give different answers depending on the circumstances.
Sources and Further Reading
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1524: the miqats set by the Prophet ﷺ
- Saudipedia: Miqat al-Juhfah
- Arab News: Saudi Heritage Commission uncovers more than 1,700 finds at Miqat Al-Juhfah
- Wikipedia: Miqat
- Saudi Press Agency: overview of the miqats
About this guide: written by the Flyer Umrah Taxi team in Makkah, whose drivers stop at the miqats on the Madinah and Taif routes. Distances differ between sources, so we show ranges and name the source. This is travel information, not a fatwa. Last reviewed on 27 October 2026.
Related Guides
Book Your Taxi to the Al-Juhfah Miqat
Miqat Al-Juhfah is the miqat for pilgrims from Sham, Egypt and North Africa, about 180 km from Makkah near Rabigh. If you want a driver who knows the stop, waits while you enter Ihram and takes you on to Makkah, we can arrange it.
Send us your pickup point, date and the number of people. We will confirm your car and your fixed price straight away.
Taxi to the miqat and on to Makkah
Hotel or airport pickup · driver waits while you enter Ihram · fixed price per car