Dhu al-Hulayfah (Abyar Ali / Bir Ali) is the miqat where the people of Medina and those travelling their route enter ihram; its mosque is known as Masjid al-Shajarah. It lies about 7 km southwest of the Prophet's Mosque, west of Wadi al-Aqiq. The name 'Shajarah' (tree) recalls the Prophet resting under a tree here, and 'Abyar/Bir Ali' (wells of Ali) comes from wells dug here on Ali's order. The Prophet entered ihram here for Umrah after Hudaybiyyah and for the Farewell Pilgrimage; it is thus the miqat for pilgrims arriving from the Medina direction. The first mosque was built under Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, rebuilt in 961 CE by Zayn al-Din al-Istidar, and greatly expanded under King Fahd (1982-2005), making it the second-largest miqat mosque after Qarn al-Manazil. The miqat ruling is firmly established in fiqh; the 'shade tree' detail is tradition/hadith-based.
Visiting Etiquette
A miqat mosque; those departing Medina for Hajj/Umrah enter ihram here, make intention and recite the talbiyah. Modest dress, quiet conduct and ablution are expected, with attention to the etiquette of ihram. Non-ihram visitors may also offer voluntary prayers.