As we bid farewell to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in Madinah, we then made our way to the Ka’aba in Makkah. We began our first Umrah by stating our intention to perform our Umrah at Masjid Miqat (Dhul Hulaifah, a.k.a Abyar Ali), which is around 10 kilometers away from Masjid an-Nabawi on the western side of Al-Aqeeq Valley.

Masjid Dhul Hulaifah holds a special place because the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) defined it as the miqat for the people of Madinah. As pilgrims arrive for Umrah or Hajj, they stop by the Masjid to enter into Ihram and make the intention of performing Umrah before they leave for Makkah. People inside Makkah, who have to perform Umrah, also travel to the Masjid, mainly so they can enter into Ihram.

Miqat refers to the boundary where it becomes necessary for pilgrims to adorn the Ihram garments and impermissible to pass except in the state of Ihram. Those who cross the boundary without having entered into the state of Ihram must perform an animal sacrifice (Damm) as expiation or feed six poor people in Makkah.

The purpose of wearing the Ihram is to remind us of the shroud that we will be wrapped up in when we depart this earth. It also shows a sense of unity among Muslims performing their pilgrimage and to humble ourselves as it doesn’t differentiate people of their status, money, power, colour, ethnicity, or nationality.

After taking a purification bath (Ghusl) and stating our intention to wear the Ihram to perform Umrah, male Muslims are expected to refrain from cutting their nails and trimming their hair and beards. They must also not wear any scent, including deodorant, once they put on the Ihram clothing, a white, seamless garment. Following this, the pilgrim will recite the Talbiyah until they arrive at the Ka’aba.

The Talbiyah goes as follows:
Labbaik Allahumma labbaik. Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wa-nimata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka.

Translation:
I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks, and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You.