A woman asks: We went for 'Umrah, and I was menstruating. After I became pure, I entered the state of ihram from the House. Is that permissible, and what is the expiation, given that she did not know the ruling?
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The questioner : We went for 'Umrah, and I was menstruating. After I became pure, I entered the state of ihram from the House. Is that permissible? If it is not permissible, what must she do? And what is the expiation, considering that I did not know the ruling in this matter?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to enter the state of ihram from the House in Makkah for 'Umrah, neither for the people of Makkah nor for anyone else. This is because when Aisha wanted to perform 'Umrah from Makkah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered her brother, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both), to take her out to al-Tan'īm and said:Sahih Muslim 1211m.
Accordingly, this woman must now, according to what the scholars have mentioned: offer a blood sacrifice, meaning she must slaughter a sheep in Makkah and distribute all of its meat to the poor. Since she was ignorant and did not know, the sin is dropped from her, but the expiation is not dropped, because it is for leaving an obligatory act.
Furthermore, what is prescribed for her is that when she reached the miqat, she should have entered the state of ihram, even if she was menstruating. For there is nothing wrong with a menstruating woman entering the state of ihram. This is because Asma bint 'Umayyis, the wife of Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both), gave birth at Dhul-Hulayfah during the Year of the Farewell Pilgrimage. She sent a message to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asking: What should I do? He said to her:Sahih Muslim 1218a.
Accordingly, if a woman reaches the miqat while menstruating or in post-natal bleeding, she should take a full ritual bath and enter the state of ihram like other people. However, she does not circumambulate the House or walk between al-Safa and al-Marwah until she becomes pure, then she circumambulates and then walks.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to enter the state of ihram from the House in Makkah for 'Umrah, neither for the people of Makkah nor for anyone else. This is because when Aisha wanted to perform 'Umrah from Makkah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered her brother, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both), to take her out to al-Tan'īm and said:
Take out your sister from the precincts of the Ka'ba in order to put on Ihram for Umra
أخرج بأختك من الحرم فلْتُهِلَّ بعمرةAccordingly, this woman must now, according to what the scholars have mentioned: offer a blood sacrifice, meaning she must slaughter a sheep in Makkah and distribute all of its meat to the poor. Since she was ignorant and did not know, the sin is dropped from her, but the expiation is not dropped, because it is for leaving an obligatory act.
Furthermore, what is prescribed for her is that when she reached the miqat, she should have entered the state of ihram, even if she was menstruating. For there is nothing wrong with a menstruating woman entering the state of ihram. This is because Asma bint 'Umayyis, the wife of Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both), gave birth at Dhul-Hulayfah during the Year of the Farewell Pilgrimage. She sent a message to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asking: What should I do? He said to her:
Take a bath, bandage your private parts and put on Ihram
اغتسلي واستثفري بثوب وأحرميAccordingly, if a woman reaches the miqat while menstruating or in post-natal bleeding, she should take a full ritual bath and enter the state of ihram like other people. However, she does not circumambulate the House or walk between al-Safa and al-Marwah until she becomes pure, then she circumambulates and then walks.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.