Masjid al-Zulhulaifah, also known as Miqat Mosque, holds significance as the designated boundary where those traveling from Medina to Mecca assume the state of Ihram, which is a sacred state of pilgrimage attire and intention. This mosque was established by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The distance between Masjid al-Zulhulaifah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina is approximately 11 kilometers. It is located at the southwest border of Medina.
During the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada), the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) spent a night at Zulhulaifah and performed prayers under a semure tree, as he had done during two previous Umrah journeys. This tree is also referred to as the “Tree Mosque”. Following the Prophet’s example, people departing from Medina to Mecca for pilgrimage would enter into the state of Ihram at this location.
The original spot where the Prophet (SAW) prayed was preserved and marked for a long time. Masjid al-Zulhulaifah was rebuilt and renovated in various periods throughout history. During the reign of King Fahd, it underwent a major reconstruction, and the area around the mosque was developed to accommodate the needs of pilgrims entering the state of Ihram for Umrah or Hajj.
Masjid al-Zulhulaifah serves as an essential point for those embarking on the pilgrimage journey from Medina to Mecca. It commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s practice of entering the state of Ihram, a pivotal step in the pilgrimage rituals.
