What is meant by the statement, "Jeddah is not a miqat at all"? And does it mean that it is never a miqat, or that the ihram from it has not been specified so it is for everyone? And what are the proofs for this statement?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, specified the miqats (pre-determined stations for assuming the state of ihram for Hajj and Umrah), which are: Dhul-Hulaifah, Al-Juhfah, Qarn Al-Manazil, and Yalamlam. These miqats are for anyone who passes by them, whether from their inhabitants or others, intending Hajj or Umrah. For those who are closer [to Makkah] than these miqats, they should assume ihram from where they originate, and this includes the people of Makkah and Jeddah.

Scholars have differed regarding Jeddah being a miqat for those who are not its inhabitants, with several opinions:

- That it is a miqat for everyone who passes through it by land, air, or sea, due to its proximity to the miqats of Al-Juhfah and Yalamlam. - That it is a miqat for those coming directly from its west (southern Egypt and northern Sudan) because it is the first land they encounter. - That it is not a miqat for any visitor coming to it from outside its inhabitants. This is the view adopted by the Islamic Fiqh Council, who reasoned that the Shari'ah did not designate it as a miqat, and that it is closer to Makkah than the legally specified miqats. They also argued that it is possible to assume ihram before reaching Jeddah, while at sea or in the air, upon aligning with the miqats.

The Council decided that it is obligatory for pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah to assume ihram when aligning with the nearest of the five miqats. If they are unsure, they should assume ihram before that as a precaution. The Council entrusts the General Secretariat of the Muslim World League to write to airline and shipping companies to alert passengers before approaching the miqat.