Summary [17]

 Summary

1- A pilgrim who wishes to make 'umrah only, hajj only or both simultaneously, is not to go beyond the miqat site for his country except after he assumes ihram with the aforementioned conditions.

2- A person in ihram may wear glasses, a wrist watch, rings (men must only wear rings that are made of metals that are permissible for them to wear), belts and the like. A woman may wear regular jewelry, silk, socks, and whatever colors she wishes without tabarruj (displaying her beauty) although it is preferable for her to refrain from wearing eye catching colors and adornments.

3- There is no harm in using soap, even if scented, because it not from among the scented objects that are prohibited.

4- Men are forbidden to wear sewn garments and those which cling to the body and encircle the body parts they are designed to cover even if they are not sewn. Examples include socks, vests, underpants, and pullovers .

5- After assuming ihram, a pilgrim may fix his izar and rida`, and pin the two pieces together to cover those parts of his body which must not remain exposed; this is not considered stitching nor are the two pieces of clothing considered to encircle the body.

6- Menstruation and post natal bleeding do not prevent a woman from entering ihram. A woman in either state may enter ihram and perform all of the rites of hajj such as standing at 'Arafat, stoning, and the like. However she is not to make tawaf because she is not allowed to enter the mosque. But if she does not have time to stay in Mecca to perform tawaf al-ifada until her bleeding ceases, she may wash her private parts and use sanitary pads to prevent any leakage of blood and proceed to make tawaf in the aforementioned manner. A woman in menstruation or post natal bleeding is not to make tawaf al-wada'. A woman who experiences menstruation during or before tawaf al-wada', is not blameworthy if she leaves without making it.

7- It is recommended for pilgrims (males only) in ihram to expose their right shoulders "idtiba'" when embarking on tawaf that is followed by sa'y. Refraining from doing so does not entail any consequences.

8- Greeting the Ka'bah consists of circumambulating it upon entering if a pilgrim so wishes. If not, he is to pray the two rak'ahs of greeting the mosque before sitting down. It is preferable for those who are able to make tawaf.

9- It is disliked for men to jostle to touch the Black Stone; it is prohibited for women to do this to avoid physical contact with men.

10- If the call to commence prayer is made when a pilgrim is making tawaf or sa'y, he is to pray behind the imam in congregation to obtain the reward of a group prayer and then resume his tawaf or sa'y from where he left off. It is permissible for a pilgrim who is unable to make the rounds of tawaf or sa'y consecutively to rest between the rounds for the time it takes him to regain his energy.

11- Ablution is a condition for the obligatory tawaf for both hajj and 'umrah but not for sa'y. However it is preferable to make sa'y while in a state of ablution.

12- Whoever is obliged to slaughter an animal for hajj qiran and tamattu' and cannot find an animal to slaughter, does not own its price or needs it for his travel expenses or for other necessary expenses associated with hajj, is obliged to do the alternative which consists of fasting three consecutive days after he enters ihram for hajj that do not go beyond

the Day of 'Arafat. It is likewise preferable not to fast on the day of 'Arafat and to fast seven consecutive days after returning from hajj. If a pilgrim misses fasting the three days during hajj or is unable to fast them during that time, he is to fast the ten days after he returns from hajj.

13- Whoever violates any of the restrictions of ihram mentioned above (except for engaging in sexual relations or killing game animals) such as paring nails or using perfume is obliged [to make expiation] by choosing to do any of the following:

- Fast three days wherever he wishes;

- Give out three sa's of food (7.5 kg app.) to six poor persons anywhere he wishes. This is the opinion of the Hanafis and Malikis.

- Slaughter a sheep. The majority of scholars have maintained that the slaughter should be inside al-Haram while Maliki scholars maintained that it should take place wherever a pilgrim wishes and this is the opinion we choose for fatwa.

14- If a woman who has assumed ihram for 'umrah only enters Mecca and then experiences menstruation and fears missing entering ihram for hajj i.e. on 8th Dhul-Hijjah, she is to enter ihram for hajj and is considered to be on hajj qiran. She is obliged to slaughter an animal for hajj qiran.

15- There is no harm in passing in front of those praying in al-Haram. It is permissible to perform non-obligatory prayers in al-Haram at any time i.e. it is not impermissible to pray at the times when prayers are disliked.

Allah the Almighty is the One Who grants us success to walk the straight path.

O Allah! Accept [our deeds] for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Forgive us for You are the Ever-Forgiving, the Ever-Merciful. And peace and blessings be upon our master, Mohammed the messenger of Allah, and upon his family, Companions and those who follow his religion and path.