When entering the Holy Makkah, every person should remember Allah’s greatness and majesty, soften the heart, and remember how sacred and honourable the Holy Makkah is in the sight of Allah. While staying in the Holy Makkah, one should try to accord it its due honour. After entering the Holy Makkah, it is mustahabb for a person performing Hajj or Umrah to act as follows:
1. Rest at a suitable place so that the fatigue of the journey is relieved before tawaf and the body regains its vitality. There is no problem if one is unable to rest. It is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:
«بَاتَ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بِذِي طُوًى حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مَكَّةَ»
‘The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) arrived at Dhi Tuwa during the journey for Hajj and spent the night there. In the morning, he entered Makkah.’[1] When Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Makkah, he would spend the night at Dhi Tuwa. At dawn, he would perform ghusl. He would say that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do likewise.[2] Nowadays, this Sunnah will also be fulfilled if pilgrims perform ghusl after reaching their accommodation in Makkah.
2. A muhrim may enter Makkah from any direction. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
«وَكُلُّ فِجَاجِ مَكَّةَ طَرِيقٌ».
‘Every lane of Makkah is a route of entry.’[3]
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered Makkah from the direction of Batha al-Mualla, by the route called ‘Kada’, which is presently located at the elevated place known as Hajun, and departed by the lower route called ‘Kudai’.[4] Therefore, if it is possible for someone to enter and leave Makkah in emulation of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that would be preferable.
However, in the present age, you will be taken to Makkah by motor vehicle. You will have to take whichever route is convenient for reaching your accommodation. Therefore, it may not be possible for you to enter Makkah from the direction from which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered. There is no problem with this. You will take whichever route is convenient for your vehicle. After leaving your belongings at your accommodation and resting, you will prepare for Umrah.
A muhrim may enter Makkah at any time. However, it is preferable to enter during the early part of the day. It is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ‘spent the night at Dhi Tuwa. In the morning, he entered Makkah.’[5]
[1]. Bukhari: 1574; Muslim: 1259. (The site of the maternity hospital presently located in the Jarwal area was known as Dhi Tuwa.)
[2]. Bukhari: 3/436; Muslim: 2/919.
[3]. Abu Dawud: 1937.
[4]. Bukhari: 1576.
[5]. Ibid.