Miqat Dhat Irq

What Does Miqat Dhat Irq Mean in Detail?

Dhat Irq is the fifth Miqat station, serving jamaah haji from Iraq, Iran, and Central Asia. While the other four Miqat stations were explicitly designated by Nabi Muhammad (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Dhat Irq was established by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) when the people of Iraq accepted Islam and needed a Miqat. Some hadith narrations in Sunan Abu Dawud and others suggest Nabi also mentioned this Miqat, though scholars differ on the authenticity. The location takes its name from a small mountain called Irq in the area. Historically, it was a crucial point on the caravan route from Basra and Kufa. With modern transportation, many Iraqi and Iranian jamaah haji now fly to Jeddah and enter Ihram before crossing the Miqat line or at designated points.