For a pilgrim coming by plane from Turkey, their miqāt (appointed station for assuming ᾽iḥrām) is the same as that for the people of the west, which is al-Juḥfah (Rabigh). They should not pass this point without assuming ᾽iḥrām. However, it is preferable for them to assume ᾽iḥrām from their point of departure, as stated in the Qur᾽ān: “And complete the Ḥajj and ῾Umrah for Allāh” [Al-Baqarah: 196]. ῾Alī and Ibn Mas῾ūd said that one should assume ᾽iḥrām from their home.

As for a pilgrim coming by plane from Qatar, their miqāt is Qarn al-Manāzil, like the miqāt for the people of Najd, unless the flight route goes northward to align with the miqāt of the people of Iraq. It is preferable for everyone to assume ᾽iḥrām from the transit airport.

According to the Ḥanafī school of Islamic law, one can make the intention and recite the Talbiyah (the call to commence the rites) before reaching the miqāt. According to the Mālikī school and others who follow it, one should assume ᾽iḥrām when they are parallel to the miqāt. It is advisable to make the intention from the transit airport if there is a risk of missing or forgetting the miqāt.

Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr