Q 3: Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and ‘Umrah) should be assumed at Al-Juhfah for the people of the Levant (the region covering Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine) and North Africa. We still hear that Al-Juhfah was a village by the sea, just like Jeddah, but it was washed into the sea. Did this happen before or after the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)? It is stated in Sahih (authentic) Hadith that it is the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj and ‘Umrah) for the people of the Levant and North Africa, but does this also include all the people of North Africa, even those on the equator, such as the Congo and the middle of Sudan? Can they assume Ihram in Jeddah, as that is the town that they pass by, or is it obligatory for everyone to assume Ihram in the sea, because Al-Juhfah is now in the sea?

A: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) assigned the Miqats for Hajj and ‘Umrah in a Hadith related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) assigned Dhul-Hulayfah as the Miqat for for the people of Al-Madinah; Al-Juhfah for the people of the Levant; Qarn Al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen These Miqats are for the people of these very places and also for non-indigenous people who come through these places with the intention of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah. Anyone within these boundaries (their Miqat) is from where they start (Ihram), even the people of Makkah from Makkah. In another narration the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, Whoever lives within these boundaries can assume Ihram from their dwelling place, even the people of Makkah can assume lhram from there. (Part No. 11; Page No. 133) Every Muslim who passes by one of these Miqats resolved to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah, should assume Ihram from the Miqat they passed by, whether they are indigenous or non-indigenous of this place, according to the Hadith that states, These Miqats are for the people of these very places and also for non-indigenous people who come through these places with the intention of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah. Anyone outside these Miqats and their route does not take them past any of these Miqats, should assume Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj or ‘Umrah when they come to a place at the same point with the first Miqat they pass by (and is the same distance from Makkah), whether they are traveling by land, sea, or air. Those whose Miqat was originally Al-Juhfah should assume Ihram at the present day when they come at the same point with it.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.