The ruling on one who is prevented from performing tawaf and sa'y

Question: What is the ruling on one who enters the state of ihram from the miqat for Hajj or 'Umrah, and then is prevented from performing tawaf and sa'y?

Answer: The one who enters the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah and is then prevented from performing tawaf and sa'y remains in his state of ihram, if he expects this prevention to end soon; for example, if the obstacle is a flood, or an enemy with whom negotiation is possible regarding entry and the performance of tawaf and sa'y. He should not hasten to exit the state of ihram, as happened to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (where they stayed for a period) on the day of Hudaybiyyah to negotiate with the people of Makkah, hoping they would allow them to enter to perform 'Umrah without fighting. When that did not become possible, and they insisted on preventing them except through war, and a truce was made between him and them that he would return to Madinah and perform 'Umrah the following year, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions slaughtered their sacrificial animals, shaved their heads, and exited the state of ihram. This is what is prescribed for the one who is prevented: he should wait. If the siege is lifted, he continues in his state of ihram and performs his rituals. If that does not become possible and it is difficult for him to stay, he exits the state of ihram from this 'Umrah or Hajj, if he was a pilgrim performing Hajj. He owes nothing except exiting the state of ihram by shedding blood that is sufficient for the 'Id sacrifice, then shaving or shortening the hair, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions did on the day of Hudaybiyyah. By doing so, he exits the state of ihram, as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said: [al-Baqarah:196]. Therefore, shaving takes place after the slaughter, and shortening the hair serves as its substitute. One slaughters first, then shaves or shortens the hair, then exits the state of ihram and returns to his country. Whoever does not find a sacrificial animal fasts for ten days, then shaves or shortens the hair, then exits the state of ihram.