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Both Ibn Shihab and Ibn Hazm hold entering Makkah without the ihram garb permissible. The Prophet (peace be upon him) set the markers (Mawaqit) around Makkah only for those who intended to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah. Wearing ihram is not compulsory for those who pass these markers if they do not intend Hajj or ‘Umrah. Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him) did not forbid entering Makkah without ihram. To insist on it is obligating people to which they are not obligated by Shari’ah. Encouraged Acts for Entrants to Makkah and the Sacred Mosque: It is desirable for those intending to visit Makkah to do the following: 1. To take a bath. It is reported that Ibn ‘Umar used to take a bath before entering Makkah. 2. To spend the night at Dhi Tuwa, a valley in the direction of AlZaher. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to spend the night there. Nafi’ said: “Ibn ‘Umar used to do the same.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim) 3. To enter Makkah from the upper hill called “Koda”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) entered Makkah from the direction of Al-Mu’allah. Whoever is able to follow this path, should do so, but one commits no sin if one does not do it. 4. To hurry to the Sacred Mosque as soon as one deposits one’s belongings in a safe place. One must enter the Sacred Mosque from the gate known as Bab Bani Shayba - Bab us-Salam - and 103