Question: Does this ruling also apply to someone who travels by air—for instance, a person coming from Riyadh intending ʿUmrah who stops in Jeddah to visit relatives or friends for a day or two? Must he enter into ihram from the point in the air that is parallel to the miqat?

Answer: It most certainly does. Anyone who sets out from a place lying beyond the miqat with the intention of performing the rites is obliged to enter ihram at that miqat when he passes it—whether he passes directly over it or parallel to it, on land or in the air. He may not go beyond it except in ihram. Therefore, the passenger traveling by airplane should prepare for ihram before boarding. When the aircraft draws level with the miqat—he may ask the flight crew, rely on their announcement, or, to be on the safe side, assume ihram once he is reasonably sure the plane is near the miqat—he must enter ihram while still in the air. To delay until landing at Jeddah airport is an error, and whoever does so must offer a dam (compensatory sacrifice).

Question: Even if he will stay in Jeddah for only one or two days?

Answer: Even if he intends to stay in Jeddah for a day or two. If he wishes to remain there, it would be better for him to perform ʿUmrah first and then return to Jeddah to attend to his business, because hastening to fulfil the rite is preferable.

Question: So, as long as he intends to perform ʿUmrah, he may not pass the miqat without entering ihram?

Answer: There is no doubt about that. Afterward he is free: if he wishes, he may stay in Jeddah while still in ihram, or he may proceed to Makkah, complete the rite, and then return to Jeddah for his work.