The miqat for Umrah is the fixed boundary where you enter Ihram, and there are five of them. The one you use depends on the direction you travel to Makkah from. Pilgrims coming from Madinah enter Ihram at Dhul-Hulayfah, from the Taif road at Qarn al-Manazil, from the south at Yalamlam, from the north-west at Al-Juhfah, and from the north-east at Dhat Irq.
However, most guides only list the names. This one puts the distances, the people each miqat is for, the flight rules and the common mix-ups in one place, so you can see which miqat applies to your journey. It was last updated on 27 October 2026.
Miqat for Umrah: Quick Facts
Miqat for Umrah: quick facts
| What a miqat is | The boundary a person intending Umrah or Hajj enters Ihram at, or before, when travelling to Makkah |
| Number of miqats | 5: Dhul-Hulayfah, Al-Juhfah, Qarn al-Manazil, Yalamlam and Dhat Irq |
| Closest to Makkah | Qarn al-Manazil, about 75 to 95 km |
| Furthest from Makkah | Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali), about 400 to 450 km |
| From Madinah | Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) |
| Not a miqat | Masjid Ayesha (At-Tan'im), Ji'ranah, Jeddah Airport and the Haram itself |
| Hadith source | Sahih al-Bukhari 1524 |
| Taxi with a miqat stop | Fixed price per car, driver waits while you enter Ihram |
What Is a Miqat?
A miqat is a fixed place or boundary that a person intending Umrah or Hajj must not pass without being in Ihram. The word comes from Arabic and is also written miqaat or meeqat. You will see "al miqat" and "masjid miqat" too; the second usually means the mosque built at the miqat for pilgrims to pray in and change.
First, the places were set by the Prophet ﷺ. In the hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (Sahih al-Bukhari 1524), he 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. The same narration also says these are for the people of those places and for anyone who passes through them intending Hajj or Umrah.
Entering Ihram means making the intention for Umrah and starting the Talbiyah, usually after wudu, ghusl if you wish, and two rak'ah. Wearing the two white sheets is only the dress. The intention is what puts you in Ihram. Finally, this guide is travel information, not a fatwa; for rulings, ask a scholar you trust.
How Many Miqats Are There for Umrah?
There are five miqats: Dhul-Hulayfah, Al-Juhfah, Qarn al-Manazil, Yalamlam and Dhat Irq. The hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari 1524 names four. Dhat Irq, for the people of Iraq and the north-east, is mentioned in other narrations and is counted as the fifth. Some sources say the Prophet ﷺ named it, while others say Umar set it. Both views exist, and it is listed among the five miqats today.
The Five Miqats at a Glance
ذو الحليفة
Dhul-Hulayfah
Abyar Ali · Masjid ash-Shajarah
For pilgrims coming from Madinah
~400–450 km NorthDetails ↓
الجحفة
Al-Juhfah
Rabigh is used today
For Sham, Egypt and North Africa
~180 km North-westRead the full guide →
قرن المنازل
Qarn al-Manazil
As-Sayl al-Kabir · Wadi Muharram
For Najd, the Gulf and the Taif road
~75–95 km EastRead the full guide →
Which Miqat Is Closest to Makkah?
Miqat Comparison Table
| Miqat | Also called | Distance from Makkah | Direction | For pilgrims from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhul-Hulayfah | Abyar Ali, Abar Ali, Masjid ash-Shajarah | About 400 to 450 km | North (Madinah road) | Madinah, and anyone arriving from Madinah |
| Al-Juhfah | Rabigh (Ihram is taken at Rabigh today) | About 180 km | North-west (coast) | Sham (Levant), Egypt, Morocco and North Africa |
| Qarn al-Manazil | As-Sayl al-Kabir, Wadi Muharram, the Taif miqat | About 75 to 95 km | East (Taif road) | Najd, the Gulf, and anyone coming from Taif |
| Yalamlam | As-Sa'diyyah | About 85 to 130 km | South | Yemen, the south, and many flights from South Asia |
| Dhat Irq | Ad-Dharibah | About 90 to 100 km | North-east | Iraq and the north-east |
Why do the numbers differ between websites? This is because each source measures to a different point: the old site, the new mosque, the nearest town or the highway junction. The Saudi Press Agency and Saudipedia give slightly different figures for the same miqat. We give ranges so you are not surprised on the road.
Which Miqat for Umrah Applies to You?
Your miqat depends on the route you take to Makkah, not on your passport. The table below is a practical guide for the journeys our drivers see most often.
Route-by-Route Guide
| Your journey | Miqat you pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Madinah to Makkah by road | Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) | About 14 km from the Prophet's Mosque; most pilgrims enter Ihram here on the way out |
| Taif to Makkah, or Riyadh, Qassim and the Gulf by road via Taif | Qarn al-Manazil | Two mosques: As-Sayl al-Kabir and Wadi Muharram. Use the one on your road |
| Along the Red Sea coast from the north, or from Egypt and the Levant by road | Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) | The original site was destroyed by flood; pilgrims enter Ihram at Rabigh |
| From Yemen or the south by road | Yalamlam (As-Sa'diyyah) | On the southern road to Makkah |
| From Iraq and the north-east by road | Dhat Irq | North-east of Makkah |
| Flying from Egypt, the Levant, or via the north | Al-Juhfah (by the flight path) | Your airline or Umrah operator will tell you when it is near |
| Flying from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Indonesia | Yalamlam (by the flight path) for many flights | Confirm with your airline; flight paths differ |
| Already inside Makkah and wanting another Umrah | No miqat | Go outside the Haram boundary, such as Masjid Ayesha. See places that are not miqats |
If you live between a miqat and Makkah, for example in Jeddah, you enter Ihram from where you live. The hadith says the same. That is why Jeddah residents do not travel to a miqat for Umrah.
The Five Miqats One by One
1. Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali): the miqat for Madinah
Dhul-Hulayfah is the miqat for pilgrims coming from Madinah, and it is the furthest of the five from Makkah. It is about 14 km from the Prophet's Mosque and roughly 400 to 450 km from Makkah, depending on the source. The mosque here is known as Masjid ash-Shajarah, and people also call the place Abyar Ali or Abar Ali.
For example, Saudipedia describes a mosque that was rebuilt and expanded by the Saudi government. It reports that the site has hundreds of restrooms, ablution and bathing areas, parking and a market, and room for thousands of worshippers. Because it is so close to Madinah, many pilgrims enter Ihram here at the start of the road to Makkah. If you are travelling Madinah to Makkah, see our Madinah to Makkah taxi.
2. Al-Juhfah (Rabigh): the miqat for Sham, Egypt and North Africa
Al-Juhfah is the miqat of the people of Sham, and in practice also of pilgrims from Egypt, Morocco and the rest of North Africa. It lies about 180 km north-west of Makkah on the old coastal route. The original village was destroyed by flooding long ago, so pilgrims today enter Ihram at Rabigh, only a short distance away. See our full guide to Miqat Al-Juhfah (Rabigh) for the location, distance and who uses it.
The site also made news in 2026, when Saudi authorities announced the discovery of more than 1,700 artefacts at Al-Juhfah, adding to what is known about the old pilgrim route.
3. Qarn al-Manazil: the miqat for Najd and the Taif road
Qarn al-Manazil, also called As-Sayl al-Kabir, is the closest miqat to Makkah, at about 75 to 95 km. It is the miqat for the people of Najd, the Gulf and anyone coming down from Taif. It has two mosques, As-Sayl al-Kabir and Wadi Muharram, on two different roads, and you use the one on your route.
For more detail, we have a full guide with maps and distances: Taif miqat: Qarn al-Manazil, As-Sayl al-Kabir and Wadi Muharram.
4. Yalamlam (As-Sa'diyyah): the miqat for Yemen and the south
Yalamlam is the miqat for the people of Yemen and the south, and it is also the miqat many flights from South Asia pass. It is south of Makkah, with distance figures ranging from about 85 km for the old site to about 120 to 130 km for the current As-Sa'diyyah mosque, depending on the source.
In fact, searches for the Yalamlam miqat in Saudi Arabia have more than doubled in the past year (Google Keyword Planner), which shows how many pilgrims want to know where their flight crosses the boundary.
5. Dhat Irq: the miqat for Iraq and the north-east
Dhat Irq is the miqat for pilgrims coming from Iraq and the north-east, about 90 to 100 km from Makkah. It is the least visited of the five and the one with the most disagreement over its origin, but it is counted among the five by the Saudi authorities.
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Fixed price per car · hotel or airport pickup · driver waits while you enter Ihram
Flying to Saudi Arabia: Where Do You Enter Ihram?
If you fly, you enter Ihram before the plane crosses the miqat, not after you land. Jeddah, Madinah and Taif airports are in different positions relative to the miqats, so the answer depends on your route.
Jeddah, Madinah, Taif and Riyadh Airports
| Where you land | What usually applies |
|---|---|
| Jeddah (JED) | Jeddah lies inside the miqat boundaries, so pilgrims flying in enter Ihram in the air, at or before the miqat your flight path crosses. Airline crews usually announce it |
| Madinah (MED) | Most pilgrims enter Ihram at Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) when leaving Madinah for Makkah |
| Taif (TIF) | Taif is before Qarn al-Manazil, so you enter Ihram at the miqat on the road down to Makkah |
| Riyadh (RUH) then by road | Qarn al-Manazil, if you go to Makkah via Taif |
Flying in: the miqat is crossed in the air, so the intention is made before the line.
Tips for Entering Ihram on a Flight
However, we cannot decide a ruling for you. What we can do is meet you at the airport and take you to your Makkah hotel without wasting time. See our Jeddah to Makkah taxi.
Jeddah and People Living Inside the Miqats
People who live inside the miqat boundaries, including Jeddah residents, enter Ihram from their own homes. The hadith says this directly: those living nearer than the miqat enter Ihram where they are. However, pilgrims who are visiting Jeddah from outside are in a different position and should use the miqat on their route. If you are unsure how this applies to you, ask a scholar.
Places That Are Not Miqats
Masjid Ayesha (At-Tan'im) and Ji'ranah are places to enter Ihram from when you are already in Makkah. They are not miqats. The Prophet ﷺ sent Aisha to At-Tan'im to enter Ihram for her Umrah (Sahih al-Bukhari 1785), which is why pilgrims go there for a second Umrah.
- Masjid Ayesha: the nearest point outside the Haram boundary for people in Makkah. Our full Masjid Ayesha guide covers how to get there, and the taxi fare guide covers the trip from the Haram.
- Ji'ranah: a mosque outside the Haram on the Taif side, where the Prophet ﷺ entered Ihram for Umrah after Hunayn.
- Jeddah Airport: an arrival point, not a miqat.
So if you are arriving in Makkah from outside, the places above do not replace your miqat.
Taxi With a Miqat Stop
The easiest way to reach a miqat is to ask your driver to stop there on the route you are already travelling. Also, you do not need a separate trip. Tell the driver when you book, and the stop is included in the plan.
The driver stops at the miqat, waits while you enter Ihram, then carries on to Makkah.
In addition, prices are a fixed amount per car, not per person, and are confirmed on WhatsApp before you travel. Choose a car from our vehicles according to your group size and luggage.
What to Do at the Miqat
At the miqat you make wudu, change into Ihram, pray, make the intention for Umrah and start reciting 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.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong miqat. Check your route in the table above before you leave.
- Passing the miqat without stopping. Tell your driver in advance. If you do pass it, stop when it is safe and ask a scholar what applies.
- Thinking Masjid Ayesha is a miqat. It is for people already in Makkah.
- Waiting until you land to enter Ihram. On a flight to Jeddah, the intention is made before the miqat, not after you land.
- Trusting a single distance figure. Sources vary; use the mosque name in your map app and confirm the pin with your driver.
- Booking a car that is too small. Count adults, children and luggage first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miqats are there for Umrah?
There are five miqats: Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali), Al-Juhfah (Rabigh), Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir), Yalamlam and Dhat Irq. The hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari names four, and Dhat Irq is counted as the fifth.
Which miqat is closest to Makkah?
Qarn al-Manazil, also called As-Sayl al-Kabir, is the closest at roughly 75 to 95 km from Makkah, depending on which mosque and which source you use.
Which miqat is the furthest from Makkah?
Dhul-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali), the miqat of Madinah, is the furthest at about 400 to 450 km.
Which miqat do I use if I am coming from Madinah?
Dhul-Hulayfah, also called Abyar Ali or Masjid ash-Shajarah. It is about 14 km from the Prophet’s Mosque.
Which miqat do I use if I am coming from Taif or Riyadh?
Qarn al-Manazil, also called As-Sayl al-Kabir, on the road between Taif and Makkah. It has two mosques, As-Sayl al-Kabir and Wadi Muharram, and you use the one on your road.
Is Jeddah Airport a miqat?
No. Jeddah is inside the miqat boundaries. Pilgrims flying in normally enter Ihram on the plane at the miqat their flight path crosses, and Jeddah residents enter Ihram from home.
Is Masjid Ayesha a miqat?
No. Masjid Ayesha (At-Tan’im) is outside the Haram boundary and is used by people who are already in Makkah and want to perform another Umrah.
Where do I enter Ihram if I fly from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh?
Many flights from South Asia cross the boundary near Yalamlam, but flight paths differ. Ask your airline or Umrah operator, and enter Ihram before the plane reaches the miqat.
Is Al-Juhfah the same as Rabigh?
Almost. The original Al-Juhfah was destroyed by flooding, so pilgrims enter Ihram at Rabigh, a short distance away. Rabigh is about 180 km from Makkah.
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 situation, as scholars give different answers depending on the circumstances.
Can a taxi stop at the miqat while I enter Ihram?
Yes. Flyer Umrah Taxi stops at the miqat on your route and waits while you make wudu, change and enter Ihram. The price is fixed per car and confirmed on WhatsApp before you travel.
Sources and Further Reading
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1524: the miqats set by the Prophet ﷺ
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1785: Aisha's Umrah from At-Tan'im
- Saudipedia: Qarn al-Manazil
- Saudi Press Agency: overview of the miqats
- Saudi Press Agency: preparing the Qarn al-Manazil mosques
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 With a Miqat Stop
There are five miqats for Umrah, and the right one depends on your route: Dhul-Hulayfah for Madinah, Qarn al-Manazil for Taif and Najd, Al-Juhfah for the north-west, Yalamlam for the south, and Dhat Irq for the north-east. Masjid Ayesha is not a miqat.
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