Lois Larson
The consensus among scholars is that travellers should assume ihram before landing in Jeddah, as they will cross the miqat boundary before landing. However, some travellers may find it difficult to assume ihram before departure or during the flight, especially if they are flying directly from non-Muslim-majority countries. In such cases, it is permissible to assume ihram at Jeddah Airport, although this is considered a violation, and travellers must then proceed to the nearest miqat, which is about 100 miles away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Standard view among scholars | Air travelers should assume ihram before landing in Jeddah |
| Ruling of some scholars | Jeddah is a miqat for air travelers |
| Miqat | Boundary where it becomes impermissible to pass except in the state of ihram for those intending to perform Hajj or Umrah |
| Recommended clothing | Wear ihram before arriving at the airport or wear regular clothes and change at the airport before boarding the plane |
| Alternative | Wear ihram on the plane, although this is the least recommended option |
| Prayer | Pray nafl before leaving home or before sitting in the airplane |
| Niyah | Make niyah before crossing miqat |
| Umrah | Perform one umrah per trip |
| Expiation | If something happens and you couldn't fly the plane or do umrah after making niyah, you will have to pay a penalty |
| Miqat for Bangladeshis | Qarn Al Manazil, approximately 75 km from Makkah |
| Miqat for pilgrims from Riyadh | Qarn Al-Manazil (Miqat Taif) |
| Miqat for pilgrims from Medina | Dhul Hulaifa |
| Nearest Miqat to Jeddah | Al-Juhfah (Rabigh), about 160 km away |
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What You'll Learn
The standard view is to wear Ihram before landing in Jeddah
The standard view among scholars is that travellers should wear ihram before landing in Jeddah, as they will fly over the miqat before touching down. This is because miqat refers to the boundary where it becomes impermissible to pass except in the state of ihram, for those intending to perform Hajj or Umrah.
Some travellers may find it difficult to wear ihram before landing in Jeddah, particularly if they are flying directly from Europe or North America. In this case, it is acceptable to follow the ruling of some eminent scholars who consider Jeddah as a miqat for air travellers. Their reasoning is that while flying, one is not actually passing through the miqat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated that by miqat, he meant a station for pilgrims to halt, recuperate, and prepare before embarking on ihram.
If you are travelling from any Middle Eastern country, most airports have facilities for you to prepare for ihram before boarding the plane. If you are flying with an Islamic airline, there will be a small prayer area during the course of the flight. You will be informed by the captain or a message on the screen about 10 to 20 minutes before the miqat is reached. It is possible to wear ihram at Jeddah Airport, but you will then have to travel to the nearest miqat, which is Karan Manazil (Taif), almost 200 km away from the airport.
It is advisable to wear ihram at home, at the airport, or during a stopover if you have one. At the airport, you can check in first and change in the prayer room or bathroom. You can also wear ihram in-flight, although this is the least recommended option, especially if you are flying with a non-Islamic airline, as there will be no facilities on board to pray or change.
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Some scholars say it's permissible to wear Ihram at Jeddah airport
While the standard view among scholars is that travellers should assume ihram before landing in Jeddah, some eminent scholars consider it permissible to wear ihram at Jeddah airport. Their reasoning is that while flying, one is not passing through the miqat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated that by miqat, he meant a station for pilgrims to halt, recuperate, and prepare before embarking on ihram.
If you are travelling from a Middle Eastern country, it is relatively easy to assume ihram before boarding the plane, as most airports in the region have facilities to prepare for ihram. However, if you are coming from Europe or North America, you may encounter difficulties in doing so. In such cases, you may follow the ruling of these scholars and wear ihram at Jeddah airport.
It is important to note that wearing ihram at Jeddah airport is not without its inconveniences. After arriving at Jeddah airport, you will need to travel to Miqat, such as Karan Manazil (Taif), which is about 200 km away. This adds significant travel time to your journey, especially if you are already tired from your flight.
Additionally, some Islamic airlines may provide a small prayer area during the flight, allowing you to assume ihram before reaching Jeddah. Non-Islamic airlines typically do not offer such facilities, making it challenging to pray or change into ihram on board. Therefore, wearing ihram at the airport before departure or during a stopover is often recommended.
Ultimately, if wearing ihram before boarding the plane or in the plane poses difficulties, you may follow the ruling of these scholars and assume ihram at Jeddah airport. However, it is advisable to be well-informed about the processes, Meeqat points, and ihram requirements before undertaking your journey.
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Changing into Ihram at the airport is convenient
Secondly, if you are travelling from a country outside of the Middle East, such as Europe or North America, it may be difficult to assume Ihram before boarding the plane. In this case, you may follow the ruling of some scholars who consider Jeddah as a miqat for air travellers. This is based on the reasoning that while flying, you are not actually passing through the miqat, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) intended for miqat to be a station for pilgrims to halt and prepare before embarking on Ihram. Therefore, changing into Ihram at the airport upon arrival in Jeddah can be a convenient solution.
Additionally, changing into Ihram at the airport can be more comfortable and relaxed than doing so on the plane. You can check in first and then change in the prayer room or bathroom at the airport. This way, you can take your time and ensure you are comfortable before embarking on your journey.
However, it is important to note that there are differing opinions on whether it is permissible to wear Ihram at Jeddah Airport. Some scholars advise against it, as Jeddah is beyond the miqat boundary, and wearing Ihram there may be considered a violation. In this case, pilgrims should travel to the designated miqat or the nearest miqat, such as al-Juhfah (Rabigh), which is about 160 kilometres away from Jeddah. Alternatively, an animal sacrifice (Damm) can be carried out as expiation. Therefore, while changing into Ihram at the airport is convenient in terms of comfort and facilities, it is essential to consider the religious rulings and guidelines to ensure compliance with the requirements of Ihram.
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It is better to wear Ihram at Miqat, not at the airport
Miqat refers to the boundary where it becomes impermissible to pass without being in the state of Ihram for those intending to perform Hajj or Umrah. For those travelling by plane, it is generally advisable to wear Ihram before arriving at the airport or during a stopover. This allows individuals to relax at the airport and on the aircraft without worrying about changing into Ihram. Additionally, wearing Ihram before boarding can be a more comfortable option, especially if the flight is with a non-Islamic airline, as they typically do not provide facilities for prayer or changing.
However, for those who find it difficult to wear Ihram before arriving at Jeddah Airport, there are alternatives. Some scholars suggest that individuals can wear Ihram at the airport or even after landing in Jeddah and then proceed to the nearest Miqat, such as al-Juhfah (Rabigh), which is about 160 kilometres away. Nonetheless, this approach is considered a violation of Ihram, and performing an animal sacrifice (Damm) as expiation is recommended. Therefore, it is generally more convenient and advisable to wear Ihram before reaching Jeddah, either at home, at the departure airport, or during a stopover.
Wearing Ihram at Miqat ensures individuals can perform the intentions of Ihram and Umrah without the need for additional travel. For example, for pilgrims coming from Riyadh, their Miqat is Qarn Al-Manazil (Miqat Taif), and they can wear Ihram at Riyadh Airport and proceed directly to fulfil their intentions. Similarly, for those travelling from Medina, Dhul Hulaifa is their Miqat, and they can enter the state of Ihram at their hotel or the train station before departure. Thus, wearing Ihram at Miqat simplifies the process and aligns with the Prophet's (peace be upon him) example of Miqat as a station for pilgrims to halt, prepare, and make intentions before embarking on Ihram.
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Islamic airlines provide prayer areas and announce the Miqat point
Islamic airlines provide prayer areas and announce when the flight is approaching the Miqat point, which is the boundary where pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram. This announcement is usually made about 10 to 20 minutes before reaching the Miqat point, giving passengers time to change into their Ihram if they haven't already. Some airlines, such as Saudia Airlines, even announce the Miqat point well in advance.
As per Islamic scholars, it is recommended to enter the state of Ihram before reaching the Miqat point. However, if you are travelling with a non-Islamic airline, there may not be facilities onboard for prayer or changing into Ihram. In such cases, it is advisable to wear Ihram before boarding the plane or at the airport, making use of the prayer rooms or bathrooms available at the airport.
Changing into Ihram on the plane can be challenging due to space constraints, especially in economy class. Additionally, making wudu for the 2 rakat prayer can be difficult on the plane. Therefore, it is generally recommended to wear Ihram before boarding the flight or at the airport, where there are designated prayer areas available.
While there is some disagreement among scholars regarding whether Jeddah can be considered a Miqat for Hajj or Umrah, it is advisable to take a cautious approach. If you enter into Ihram at Jeddah airport, it is recommended to travel to the designated Miqat or the nearest Miqat to avoid any violations.
In summary, when travelling with Islamic airlines, you can expect prayer areas and timely announcements of the Miqat point. However, due to the potential challenges of changing into Ihram on the plane, it is often suggested to utilise the facilities at the airport or wear Ihram before boarding.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can wear ihram at Jeddah Airport. However, it is generally advised to wear ihram before arriving at the airport or during a stopover if you have one. This is because wearing ihram at the airport can be inconvenient and difficult. If you are travelling to Makkah, you will need to be in ihram before you land at Jeddah as you will pass through the miqat.
Miqat refers to the boundary where it becomes impermissible to pass except in the state of ihram for those intending to perform Hajj or Umrah.
If you are unable to wear ihram before landing in Jeddah, you may follow the ruling of some scholars who consider Jeddah as a miqat for air travellers. This is because they believe that while flying, you are not passing through the miqat. However, the standard view among scholars is that air travellers should assume ihram before landing in Jeddah.
