Issue: If a person passes by these miqats, is he required to enter ihram?

The answer: If he intends to perform Hajj or Umrah, or if Hajj or Umrah is obligatory upon him—that is, if he has not previously fulfilled the obligation—then he must enter ihram.

The evidence that this is required is the hadith of Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: “The people of Madinah enter ihram at Dhu al-Hulayfah” (1). The wording “enter ihram” is a declarative statement conveying the force of a command, as indicated by another wording of the hadith: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the people of Madinah to enter ihram at Dhu al-Hulayfah” (2). Thus, one must enter ihram at these miqats. If he intends Hajj or Umrah, this is clear, since the wording of the hadith states: “for whoever intends Hajj or Umrah.”

But if the rite is obligatory upon him, while he does not intend to perform Hajj or Umrah, we say: he must enter ihram at the miqat, because Hajj and Umrah are obligations that must be fulfilled without delay. Since he has now arrived, it is not permissible for him to postpone them; rather, he must enter ihram for Hajj or Umrah.

However, if you have already fulfilled the obligation and pass by these miqats without intending Hajj or Umrah, then you are not required to enter ihram, whether your absence from Makkah has been long or short. Even if you remained away for ten years, then came to Makkah for some need after having fulfilled the obligation, you are not required to enter ihram.

This is the correct view, as indicated by the sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked whether Hajj is required every year, and he replied: “Hajj is once, and whatever exceeds that