Dhira al-yad

Definition of "Dhira al-yad"

A measure of length used in Egypt during the seventh to tenth centuries of hijrah. Equal to 24 fingers or 46.2 cm. Used for measuring relatively short distances. Also used in Makkah of the same period during the pilgrimage season. For rest of the year, in Makkah, the measure used was 17 per cent longer than the dhira al-yad.