The full ritual bath is prescribed upon entering Makkah

Question : What is prescribed for him upon entering?

Answer : Upon entering Makkah, it is prescribed for a person to perform the full ritual bath, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) spent the night at Dhu al-Hula. Dhu al-Hula is a well that still exists today in Makkah, known as al-Zahir. The wells of al-Zahir are still in Makkah now. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spent the night there by the well, then he performed the full ritual bath and entered during the day, in the daytime. Accordingly, it is prescribed for a person to perform the full ritual bath upon entering Makkah. This is if he asks; if he does not perform the full ritual bath, there is no blame on him. However, in the present time, a person who enters the state of ihram, for example, from al-Qarn al-Manazil, who performs the full ritual bath upon entering ihram, has only about an hour between him and Makkah, meaning his body does not change and no harm befalls him. Nevertheless, we say that it is prescribed that if it is easy for you to perform the full ritual bath, it is a recommended practice (sunnah).