Are the two rak’ahs in the Masjid of Dhul-Hulayfah obligatory for the Muhrim performing Hajj or ‘Umrah? What about praying two rak’ahs at the other Meeqāts? Shaikh Rabee’ Ibn Hadi Al-Madkhali

Question: Are the two rak’ahs in the Masjid of Dhul-Hulayfah obligatory for the Muhrim performing Hajj or ‘Umrah?

Answer: No, they are not obligatory. If a person wishes, he can pray two rak’ahs in the valley (Dhul-Hulayfah) because Jibreel came to the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) and said to him: “Pray in this blessed valley and assume Ihram for Hajj and ‘Umrah together.” (Bukhāri, no. 1534, Ahmad, 1/24, Abu Dawood, no. 1800, all narrated from ʿUmar Ibn Al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him)

So the prayer at the Meeqāt of Dhul-Hulayfah is because this valley is blessed, and the place which we have been instructed to pray – and this is not due to the fact that one is in a state of Ihrām.

Question: What about praying two rak’ahs at the other Meeqāts?

Answer: These are prayed only at Dhul-Hulayfah. As for the rest of the Meeqāts, then the prayer of two rakʿahs is not legislated at them.

Ref: Majmooʿ Kutub was Rasā’il wa Fatāwā Fadeelah ash-Shaikh al-ʿAllāmah Rabeeʿ Ibn Hādi ʿUmayr al-Madkhali, 15/355-356.