MEEQAAT: Meeqaat are those sacred places beyond which the traveler to Makkah Mukarramah may not journey without Ihraam. Those outside the Meeqaat, wishing to enter Makkah Mukarramah, have to adopt Ihraam . It is not permissible to pass these areas without being in the state of Ihraam.

According to Imaam Shaafi (rahmatullah alayh), Ihraam is adopted for Hajj. Therefore, it is not permissible to go into the confines of the Meeqaat without Ihraam. However, according to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh), Ihraam is not conditional with Hajj. Whenever one wishes to enter the Haram Shareef, it is necessary to be in Ihraam irrespective of the purpose for which one enters the Haram. The following are the names of the various Meeqaat limits:

ZUL-HULAIFAH: This is the Meeqaat for those who wish to enter Makkah Mukarramah from the direction of Madinah Tayyibah.

QARN: This place is along the road of Najd. It is the Meeqaat for those who approach Makkah Mukarramah from this way.

YALAMLAM: This is a hill along the coast on the road of Yemen. This hill lies between Jiddah and Aden. Those approaching from the south and proceeding to Jiddah via Aden can sight this hill on the eastern shore between Aden and Jiddah. This is the Meeqaat for all those who approach from the south.

ZAATUL IRQ: This place is situated about 32 miles from Makkah Mukarramah. This is the Meeqaat for the people of Iraq and all those who approach Makkah Mukarramah from this direction.

JUHFAH is a place about 48 miles from Makkah near to Rabigh. It is the Meeqaat for the people of Shaam and those approaching from that direction.

THE HARAM

Haram is the territory of several miles radius around Makkah Mukarramah. The Haram is apart from the Meeqaat. During the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), sand-dunes indicated the boundaries of the Haram. After the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Muslim rulers erected landmarks to mark the boundaries of the haram.

On the road to Jiddah, several miles from Makkah Mukarramah, a huge landmark has been erected to indicate the boundary of the Haram on that side. On the road to Madinah Munawwarah at a place called Tan'eem, a landmark indicates the boundary of the Haram.

These precincts or boundaries were fixed by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) on Divine instruction. It is not lawful to hunt within the limits of the Holy Precincts (the Haram) nor is it permissible to execute a person (even for valid reason) within the Haram. Similarly, it is not permissible to cut trees or to uproot grass in the Haram.

HIELL

The region stretching from the boundaries of the Haram to the Meeqaat is called Hiell. The above mentioned prohibitions of the Haram are permissible in Hiell.

All the buildings surrounding the Ka'bah are also within the Haram. In addition to the above mentioned rules of the Haram, the rules pertaining to Musjids will also be applicable to these buildings. It is, therefore, not permissible to enter these adjacent buildings in the state of janaabat nor is it permissible to make Tawaaf of the Baitullah in the state of impurity.

HAJR-E-ASWAD: Hajr-e-Aswad or the Black Stone is a stone from Jannat. It was presented to Hadhrat Nabi Aadam (alayhis salaam) who fixed it in the Ka'bah Shareef. This sacred stone has a circumference of approximately 30 inches. Originally it was a glittering stone, extremely bright. When it was brought from Jannat its color was snow-white. As a result of the sins of man it has progressively become black. This Stone is fixed in the south-eastern corner of the Ka'bah Shareef on the outside at a height of about a meter. For some reason it has split into several pieces, hence it is enclosed in a silver capsule which holds together all the pieces. By kissing Hajr-e-Aswad, Allah Ta' ala forgives sins and increases the person in virtue.

ZAM ZAM SHAREEF: This is the sacred fountain of water which Allah Ta'ala in His infinite mercy created for the sake of Hadhrat Nabi Ismaail (alayhis salaam). A very deep and magnificent well has been built there now. A dome of marble covers it . Entry to the well is through a doorway. Although water is drawn from this well night and day ever since the time of Hadhrat Nabi Ismaail (alayhis salaam), the water-supply never decreases. Inspite of the water being slightly brackish, it has a wonderful taste and has miraculous curing properties. Its water is a proven cure for all types of physical ailments.

Annually on the 15th Night of Sha'baan, this sacred fountain becomes ebullient and attains its full force. Those who witnessed this event bear testimony to this marvelous and miraculous phenomenon which is beyond description. Both body and soul are enlivened by this water. As a mark of respect, its water is drunk standing. Those in the state of impurity do not use this water for wudhu or ghusl. After purifying themselves with other water, they pour this water over them to gain of its barkat. A dead person who is wrapped in kafan washed with this sacred water is indeed fortunate.

There are other wells as well from which water for drinking and general use is obtained. Brackish water from the other wells is used for washing and general purposes while the water from Nahr-e-Zubaidah is used for drinking and cooking. Nahr-e-Zubaidah is the canal constructed by Zubaidah (rahmatullah alayha), the wife Of Khalifah Haroon Rashid (rahmatullah alayh). This canal is among the wonders of the world. It bears testimony to the efficiency and competence of the experts who planned it while it is clear proof of Zubaidah's sincerity and of the fact that Allah Ta' ala has accepted her effort. At places this canal is covered while at some places it is open. A wonderful feature of this canal is its presence on even mountain peaks and in caves. To this day its source has not been established nor are all the places where it has been led to known. Very few people, even in Arabia, are aware of the locations and courses of this Canal.

MAQAAM-E-IBRAHEEM: According to the majority of Ulama, Maqaam-e-Ibraheem is the sacred stone on which Hadhrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) mounted when he was building the Ka'bah Shareef. The footprints of Hadhrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) are visible on this stone. When Hadhrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) was using this stone to stand on while building the Ka'bah Shareef, it miraculously increased and decreased in size as the occasion warranted.

According to some authorities, the entire Musjidul Haraam and every place of the sacred Haram are equal in significance to Maqaam-e- Ibraheem.

SAFAA: Adjoining the Sacred Haram on the south-eastern side was a hill. In the present time residences have been built on top of it and in the vicinity surrounding it. A number of steps have been made here for those who perform Tawaaf and Sa-ee.

MARWAH: Opposite Safaa is Marwah which also was a hill in the north western side. Here too, people have settled. The land in between these two hills was the tract along which Sayyidah Haajirah (alayhas salaam) ran several times to and fro, in great anxiety and worry, searching for water for her newborn babe, Hadhrat Ismaail (alayhis salaam). A magnificent arcade lined with shops exists today at this spot. Two green pillars are erected at the spot where the Hujjaa