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ذات عرق
Dhat Irq is the miqat for jamaah haji approaching Mekkah from the northeast, historically serving those from Iraq, Iran, and Central Asia. Located about 94 km northeast of Mekkah, it was designated by the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) or Nabi himself according to different narrations. Today, most jamaah haji from this direction fly to Jeddah and enter ihram on the plane.
Dhat Irq is located at an elevated area northeast of Mekkah. There is scholarly discussion about whether it was designated by Nabi Muhammad (PBUH) or by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) through his ijtihad (independent reasoning). Some hadith in the collections of Abu Dawud and others attribute its designation to Nabi (PBUH) for the people of Iraq. The site is named 'Dhat Irq' (the place of the vein/root) after a geographical feature in the area. It historically served the massive jamaah haji caravans from Baghdad, Persia, and Central Asia that were a hallmark of the Abbasid and later periods.
Dhat Irq completes the ring of miqat points surrounding Mekkah, ensuring that jamaah haji from every direction have a designated boundary for entering ihram. Its connection to the great jamaah haji caravans from Iraq, Persia, and beyond recalls the golden ages of Islamic civilization when Haji was a monumental journey of faith.
Dhat Irq is the least commonly used of the five miqat points today, as most jamaah haji from Iraq and Iran fly to Jeddah. The site is in a remote desert area without significant modern facilities. Pilgrims traveling by land from the northeast would pass through here. Most jamaah haji from Iraq and Iran now enter ihram either at the Jeddah airport (if they intend Umrah only) or on the airplane as they cross the miqat boundary. Consult your travel operator about the appropriate ihram point for your route.