Miqat for Umrah 2026 — What Every UK Pilgrim Must Know Before Wearing Ihram

Before every UK Muslim can perform Umrah — before Tawaf, before Sa'i, before any of the rituals of the holy cities — there is a boundary.

It is called the Miqat.

And crossing it without being in the correct state — without Ihram, without the proper intention — is one of the most significant mistakes a pilgrim can make.

Most UK Muslims who travel for Umrah know about Ihram. They know they need the white sheets. They know they need to make an intention. But many do not fully understand what the Miqat is, why it exists, why there are five different Miqat points, and exactly when — during the flight from the UK — they need to be prepared.

This guide covers everything.

What Is the Miqat?

The Miqat (plural: Mawaqit) are the sacred boundary points designated by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that surround Makkah from every direction. Every pilgrim travelling to Makkah for Umrah or Hajj must enter the state of Ihram before crossing or reaching these boundaries.

The word Miqat comes from the Arabic root meaning time and place — these boundaries define both where and when the state of Ihram must begin.

The Prophet ﷺ designated five Miqat points — one for pilgrims coming from each major direction. No pilgrim from outside the Miqat boundary may cross into the sacred zone without Ihram. Doing so without Ihram requires a penalty (dam) — the slaughter of a sheep in Makkah.

The Five Miqat Points of Saudi Arabia

1. Dhul Hulayfah — Abyar Ali

For pilgrims coming from Madinah and the North.

Dhul Hulayfah — also known today as Abyar Ali — is the Miqat point approximately 450 kilometres from Makkah, making it the farthest of all five Miqat points from the holy city.

This is the Miqat used by the Prophet ﷺ himself when he performed Hajj and Umrah from Madinah.

For UK pilgrims who travel to Madinah first (as many do on Umrah packages) and then travel overland to Makkah — Dhul Hulayfah is your Miqat. You must enter Ihram before leaving Madinah or at Dhul Hulayfah itself before the road to Makkah.

2. Al-Juhfah — Near Rabigh

For pilgrims coming from the direction of Syria, North Africa, and — most importantly for UK Muslims — those flying to Jeddah.

Al-Juhfah is located near the town of Rabigh on the coastal road approximately 180 kilometres from Makkah.

This is the Miqat that applies to the majority of UK pilgrims flying directly to Jeddah Airport.

When a UK pilgrim flies from London, Manchester, Birmingham or Bradford to Jeddah — the flight path passes over or near the Miqat boundary associated with Al-Juhfah.

This means most UK pilgrims must enter Ihram on the aircraft before landing at Jeddah Airport.

The airline will typically announce when the aircraft is approaching the Miqat boundary. You should be in your Ihram garments and have made your intention before this announcement.

Do not wait until you land at Jeddah to enter Ihram. The airport is within the Miqat zone. If you land without Ihram, you have already passed the Miqat and require a penalty.

3. Qarn Al-Manazil — Al-Sayl Al-Kabir

For pilgrims coming from the East — Najd, the Gulf countries, and pilgrims arriving from the direction of the Arabian Gulf.

Located approximately 94 kilometres from Makkah.

4. Yalamlam — Al-Sa'diyah

For pilgrims coming from the South — Yemen and countries to the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

Located approximately 92 kilometres from Makkah.

This Miqat is also sometimes used by pilgrims on certain flight routes from South Asian countries.

5. Dhat Irq

For pilgrims coming from the East — Iraq and pilgrims from that direction.

Located approximately 94 kilometres from Makkah.

Which Miqat Do UK Pilgrims Use?

The answer depends on your routing and whether you go to Madinah first or Makkah first.

Flying Direct to Jeddah — Makkah First

Most UK Umrah packages route pilgrims to Jeddah Airport first, then by road to Makkah.

Your Miqat is Al-Juhfah (Rabigh area).

The flight from London, Manchester, or Birmingham will cross the Miqat boundary while still in the air over Saudi Arabia. You must be in Ihram before the aircraft reaches this point.

Practical steps on the aircraft:

Change into Ihram garments in the aircraft bathroom before the Miqat announcement. This is normal practice — the bathrooms are available for this purpose.

When the Miqat announcement is made — or when you estimate you are approximately 30-45 minutes from landing — make your intention for Umrah:

Arabic: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Labbayk Allahumma 'Umratan.

"Here I am O Allah, for Umrah."

Then begin reciting the Talbiyah continuously.

Flying to Madinah First

Many UK Umrah packages include Madinah first — spending 3-5 nights at Masjid An-Nabawi before travelling to Makkah.

Your Miqat is Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali).

You do not enter Ihram on the flight to Madinah. When you are ready to travel from Madinah to Makkah — you enter Ihram at Dhul Hulayfah, which is on the road out of Madinah toward Makkah. Masjid Al-Miqat (also known as Masjid Ash- Shajarah) marks this boundary. Most groups make Ihram here and perform two rakats of Nafl prayer before entering Ihram.

How to Enter Ihram at the Miqat

For Men

Remove all stitched clothing. Wear two white unstitched sheets — the rida (upper sheet) and the izar (lower sheet). Sandals may be worn — shoes that cover the ankles are not permitted in Ihram.

Remove watches, rings and all jewellery.

Use no scented products — no perfume, no scented soap, no scented deodorant from this point. Apply any permissible perfume before entering Ihram, not after.

For Women

Women wear their normal Islamic modest dress — there is no specific Ihram garment for women. The face and hands remain uncovered. Women do not cover their faces in Ihram (though they may use a non-touching face cover when around non-mahram men).

The Niyyah — Intention for Umrah

At the Miqat — or just before crossing it — make the intention:

Arabic: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Labbayk Allahumma 'Umratan.

"Here I am O Allah, for Umrah."

Some add:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي

Allahumma inni uridul-'Umrata fa yassirha li wa taqabbalha minni.

"O Allah, I intend Umrah. Make it easy for me and accept it from me."

The Talbiyah — Begin After Intention

Immediately after making the intention, begin the Talbiyah. Men recite it aloud. Women recite it quietly.

Arabic: لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, Labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk, Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, La shareeka lak.

Continue reciting the Talbiyah until you begin your first Tawaf at the Kaaba.

What Is Prohibited in the State of Ihram?

Once you have entered Ihram at the Miqat, certain things become prohibited until Ihram is concluded:

For both men and women: Cutting or removing hair or nails. Using scented products. Sexual relations. Hunting or harming animals. Fighting or quarrelling. Wearing perfume.

For men additionally: Covering the head. Wearing stitched clothing. Covering the ankles.

For women additionally: Covering the face with a face-hugging veil (though using a non-touching cover around non-mahram men is permitted by many scholars).

Umrah Packages from UK 2026 — What to Confirm About Miqat With Your Agency

When booking Umrah packages from the UK, ask your agency specifically:

Does our itinerary go to Madinah first or Makkah first? This determines which Miqat applies to your journey.

If flying to Jeddah — at what point during the flight do we cross the Miqat? Ask for guidance so you are prepared well in advance.

Will there be an announcement on the aircraft? Most airlines serving Umrah pilgrims make a Miqat announcement. Confirm this with your agency.

Hajj and Umrah Experts provides a comprehensive pre-departure guide with all of this information included in your booking pack — including specific Miqat guidance for your route and departure airport.

Verify ATOL: atol.org.uk — licence 11375

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Call 0203 475 4003 — 24 hours a day.

May Allah make every Ihram entered at the Miqat by UK pilgrims in 2026 the beginning of an easy, accepted, and transformative Umrah. Ameen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Miqat for UK pilgrims doing Umrah?

For UK pilgrims flying direct to Jeddah — Al-Juhfah (Rabigh area) is the Miqat. The aircraft crosses this boundary before landing at Jeddah. You must be in Ihram before the aircraft reaches this point — change on the aircraft and make your intention before the Miqat announcement. For pilgrims going to Madinah first — Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) is the Miqat, located on the road out of Madinah.

Can I put on Ihram at Jeddah Airport?

No. Jeddah Airport is within the Miqat boundary. If you land at Jeddah without Ihram, you have already passed the Miqat and require a penalty (dam — slaughter of a sheep in Makkah). Enter Ihram on the aircraft before landing at Jeddah.

What are the five Miqat points of Saudi Arabia?

Dhul Hulayfah (Madinah direction), Al-Juhfah/ Rabigh (Syria, North Africa, UK via Jeddah), Qarn Al-Manazil (East/Gulf), Yalamlam (South/ Yemen), Dhat Irq (Iraq direction). UK pilgrims use Al-Juhfah when flying to Jeddah first, and Dhul Hulayfah when coming from Madinah.

What dua to read when entering Ihram at the Miqat?

Make the intention: "Labbayk Allahumma 'Umratan" — "Here I am O Allah, for Umrah." Then begin the Talbiyah: "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, Labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk..." Full Arabic and transliteration above.

What is prohibited in Ihram for UK pilgrims?

For all pilgrims: cutting hair or nails, using scented products, sexual relations, hunting, quarrelling. For men additionally: covering head, wearing stitched clothing, covering ankles. These prohibitions apply from the Miqat until Ihram is concluded after completing Umrah rituals.

Do Umrah packages from UK include Miqat guidance?

Yes. Hajj and Umrah Experts includes comprehensive pre-departure guidance in every booking pack — including specific Miqat information for your route and departure airport. Call 0203 475 4003. ATOL protected under licence 11375.