his Hajj by committing any prohibited act except those of this kind. If he kisses with desire or emits pre-ejaculatory fluid out of desire, he must offer a sacrifice.

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When he reaches Mecca, he may enter the city and the Sacred Mosque from any direction. It is preferable, however, to approach from the side facing the front of the Kaaba, following the example of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He entered Mecca from that direction, through its upper quarter, where Bāb al-Ma‘lā stands today. In the Prophet’s time—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—neither Mecca nor Medina had walls or constructed gateways. Rather, he entered through the upper mountain pass, the pass of Kadā’—pronounced with a short a after the k and a long ā—which overlooks the cemetery.

He entered the Sacred Mosque through its main gate, known as Bāb Banī Shaybah, then went to the Black Stone. This is the shortest route to the Black Stone for someone entering through Bāb al-Ma‘lā.

In earlier times, no building in Mecca rose above the House. Nor were there buildings atop al-Safā, al-Marwah or al-Mash‘ar al-Harām (the Sacred Site). There was no mosque in Minā or at ‘Arafāt, nor were there mosques beside the stoning sites. All these were built after the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs; some were built after the Umayyad dynasty, and others later still. Thus, the House could be seen before entering the Sacred Mosque.