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Is My Umra Valid?

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Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat is asked about the validity of Umra if a sister has doubts about purity.

I went on Umra during my period. My periods stop on the sixth day, but this time it didn’t stop until the thirteenth day. On the twelfth day I went and did Umra, thinking I am now in istihada [period of abnormal bleeding], and did tawaf and sa’i [moving back and forth between Safa and Marwa] after entering tuhr [a state of purity] and making wudu.

Yet I am still doubtful whether I was right or wrong. Please help me and answer my question. And if I was wrong please tell me what to do.

I pray you are well.

Your Umra was valid – provided you were able to remain in a state of wudu during your tawaf. If not, you need to sacrifice a sheep in Mecca.

Continuation Of Blood

If bleeding persists after the number of days you usually see it – 7, for example – you should not pray your prayers as there is a chance that the number of days you menstrual cycle lasts may change. If it stops before ten full days then this is your new cycle – 9, for example.

If, however, it continues past ten days then you assume that your menstrual cycle lasted the original number of days (7) and everything else was istihada. This means you all have to repeat the missed prayers from the day of the cycle ending until the point you realized the bleeding was istihada.

(Birgivi, Dhukhr al-Mutaʾahhilin; Kasani, Badaʾiʿ al-Sanaʾiʿ).

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

Abdul-Rahim

What Should I Do When My Menstruation Exceed Ten Days?

Is my Ghusl Valid Though I Was Experiencing Istihadah [Abnormal Bleeding]?

Can I Treat My Istihada [Abnormal Bleeding] With Medicine Containing Unlawful Ingredients?

How Can I Complete My Hajj During My Menstruation?

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Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: Assalam aleykum

If a woman is on her menses during the time the obligatory Tawaf or the Farewell Tawaf is to be completed, and she will be still on her menses when she departs from Makkah, how is she to complete her Hajj?

Answer: assalamu alaykum

The Farewell Tawaf

In the Hanafi school, the farewell tawaf (al-sadr/al-wida) is considered necessary (wajib) on those who are not resident of Mecca.

However, for a female experiencing menstruation, this tawaf is not necessary based on a dispensation stipulated by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Ibn `Abbas said that, “People were commanded to make their final act the farewell tawaf before leaving Mecca, except menstruating women who were excused.”

Lastly, no expiation needs to be given in return for leaving the farewell tawaf for the reason mentioned above. [Kasani, Bada`i al-Sana`i; Sarakhsi, Mabsut]

The Obligatory Tawaf of Hajj

As for the obligatory tawaf of hajj, often called tawaf al-ziyara or tawaf al-rukn, one must delay it until they enter into a state of purity after the menstrual cycle has ended.

If one delays it beyond the necessary (wajib) dates that it needs to be performed in, namely between the 10th and 12th of Dhi’l Hijja, due to a valid excuse such as menstruation, no expiation is due and nor is it considered sinful. [Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Planning Ahead

When planning for Hajj, one should make travel arrangements in a manner that gives them sufficient time to perform this obligatory tawaf if they believe they may menstruate during the days it is normally performed.

Further, one can take medical means to delay the period in order to fulfill this obligation. This is permitted.

[Ustadh] Salman Younas

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Salman Younas graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After studying the Islamic sciences online and with local scholars in New York, Ustadh Salman moved to Amman. There he studies Islamic law, legal methodology, belief, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic, and tafsir.

Can I Take My Child to the Mosque or Make Tawaf With Him?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

Is it true that we can’t take young children into a mosque and that we can’t perform the circumambulation (tawaf) with them?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

No, it is permitted to take young children into the mosque area as long as you are reasonably sure they won’t (1) disturb other worshippers, and (2) violate the sanctity of the mosque by soiling it.

The tradition (hadith) found in Ibn Majah interdicting their entry is understood to be in the case there is reasonable likelihood of one of the two aforementioned considerations. Otherwise, it would be permissible, yet usually improper unless there is a need, as is the case with infants wearing soiled nappies. Children who have been taught to revere the sanctity of the mosque, however, are permitted to enter without any dislike.

As for carrying your child whilst their nappy is soiled during the circumambulation (tawaf), it would be permitted, yet improper and disliked. This is because it is a sunna for your body and clothing to be free from filth during the circumambulation, and doing contrary to the dictates of a sunna does not necessitate a formal penalty.

[Qari, al-Maslak al-Mutaqassit (103); Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar (1.441), with Rafi`i’s Taqrirat; Kirmani, al-Masalik fi al-Manasik (1.442); Ibn al-Diya’, al-Bahr al-`Amiq (2.1135)]

Please also see: What Are the Rulings of Performing Tawaf, Sa’y, and Prayer While Carrying a Baby With Dirty Diapers (Nappies)?and: Does Carrying a Soiled Baby Invalidate the Prayer?

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.

Can I Perform a Voluntary Circumambulation (Tawaf) for Someone Else?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: As salam alaykum,

Can I perform a voluntary circumambulation (Tawaf) for someone else?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

Yes, it is permitted to send the reward of any voluntary deed to another believer, whether alive or deceased.

Please see the following related answers: Can I Donate to Charity on Behalf of Another Person? and: Can I Donate the Reward of Recitation of a Surah to Multiple People? and: Donating Reward to the Dead: A Detailed Answer

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

The Tawafs of Hajj

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: 1. Tawaf al Qudoom is to be performed before arriving in Mina, although most local Hajj organisations do not take their group to Makkah. When should the Tawaf al Qudoom be performed?

2. When should we perform Tawaf Al Ifadah – should this be done on the day of Eid or can it be done afterwards? Am I correct in thinking that Tawaf Al Ifadah is to be followed by Sa’y? Must one be in the state of Ihram at this stage?

3. What is the position regarding Tawaf Al Wida’a?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

[1] The Tawaf al-Qudum is a sunna for those living outside of the boundaries (miqat) of the Haram precint. It is the first thing that you would do upon entering the Haram Mosque.

[2] The Tawaf al-Ifada is obligatory (fard). It is necessary to perform it after the [a] pelting, [b] sacrifice (if sacrificing), [c] shaving (or trimming) the head, and [d] between the 10th-12th Dhu’l Hijja. You would only need to perform the sa`i at this point if you did not perform it after the Tawaf al-Qudum.

[3] The Tawaf al-Sadr (wida`) is necessary (wajib) for those who live outside of outside of the boundaries (miqat) of the Haram precint.

[Mufti Taqi Usmani, Hajj: Merits and Precepts]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

A Hajj Reader

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Revised 20th September, 2013

Dhul Hijja, the month of Hajj, is fast approaching. Hundreds and thousands of blessed Muslims are packing their bags, checking their travel documents and flocking to airports around the world, to make the journey to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

This brief document is a resource for those travelling for Hajj this year, or any year. It provides links to questions that have been answered by SeekersGuidance scholars, blog posts written about the pilgrimage, and relevant information pertaining to Hajj.

Videos and Blog Posts:
Video: Preparing for Hajj – Habib Faisal-Alkaff – Radical Middle Way

Hajj Handbook – Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar …

Video: Hajj Reflections – Radical Middle Way …

The Hajj Collection – Shaykh Abdal Hakim …

Ten Good Manners for Hajj by Imam al-Ghazali …

The Gifts of Hajj – Radical Middle Way – Blog

Imam al-Haddad’s Counsels on Hajj and `Umrah – Muwasala

Video: Fast the 9th (‘Arafa) and Live for Another Year – Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf

On the Path to a Sacred Journey: The Courtesies (Adab) of Hajj – Nur Sacred Sciences

From Our Answers Page:
Removing Hair and Wearing Scents: Expiations for Accidental Violations of Ihram during Hajj

Does Allah Forgive Marital Infidelity When You Make Hajj?

Missing the Farewell Tawaf Due to Menstruation

Calculating Zakat and Going on Hajj with a Student Loan

Is It Valid to Make Hajj or Umrah Before One’s Parents?

Seeking Forgiveness from Others Before Hajj

Hajj Tamattu`: Does an Invalid Umra Affect the Hajj?

What is the Wisdom Behind Doing Certain Hajj and Umrah Rituals 7 Times?

Reciting Sura al-Baraqara for Protection and Cutting One’s Hair for Hajj and Umrah

What Are the Rulings of Performing Tawaf, Sa’y, and Prayer While Carrying a Baby With Dirty Diapers (Nappies)?

Question on Hajj Violations

Going On Hajj While in Debt

Can a Man Perform Hajj on Behalf of a Non-Mahram Woman?

Is Foreplay a Violation On Hajj?

Wearing Stitched Clothing in Ihram: What Kind of Expiation is Due?

Should I Delay Hajj to Help Fund a Sibling’s Wedding?

Doubts About Having Committed a Contravention at Hajj

Chronic Excuse: Can I Combine Prayers with a Single Ablution?

What is the Minimum Amount of Hair that Must Be Cut to Exit the State of Ihram After Hajj or Umrah?

The Day of `Arafah: The 9th of Dhu’l Hijjah and the Takbirs of Eid

Removing Hair and Wearing Scents: Expiations for Accidental Violations of Ihram during Hajj

Appointing Someone to Perform Hajj on Someone’s Behalf

Can I Wear Stitched Footgear, Belts, or a Backpack While in Ihram?

Can Women Wear Ornaments While Performing Umrah?

How Long Must One Stay at Arafat During Hajj?

The Tawafs of Hajj

Recommended Viewing:

Imam Tahir’s DVD / CD set on Hajj http://www.falahproductions.com/dvd.php

What Are the Rulings of Performing Tawaf, Sa’y, and Prayer While Carrying a Baby With Dirty Diapers (Nappies)?

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Answered by Ustadh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Assalamu Alaikum,

I have a question regarding Umrah/Hajj. My husband and I are planning on performing Umrah this year inshAllah. we intend to take our 8 month year old baby as well. What I’d like to know is, is ones umrah valid if they’re carrying a baby on the tawaf/sai since obviously the babies nappy will contain impurity?

( I would like the Hanafi position please)

JazakAllah Khair

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and faith.

The following is based on the Hanafi school:

(1) For tawaf, it is wajib that an area of one’s garment of the size that covers the awra to be free of filth (najasa). Regarding the rest of one’s clothing, it is sunna for it to be free of filth. [Ibn Nujaym, Bahr al-Ra’iq; Fatawa Hindiyya; Qari, Sharh Lubab al-Manasik]

Hence, performing tawaf while carrying a baby whose diaper/nappy contains filth would be valid, although preferable to avoid.

(2) For sa’y, it is preferable (mustahabb) for the garment to be free of filth. [Qari, Sharh Lubab al-Manasik]

Hence, carrying such a baby is fine during sa’y as well.

(3) For any prayer, one cannot carry a baby whose diaper/nappy contains filth [i.e., more than the excused amount]. Doing so would invalidate the prayer. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi ‘l-Falah]

Hence, for all prayers, including the two rakats of tawaf performed after tawaf, one may not hold a baby with a dirty diaper. Perhaps you and your spouse could take turns holding the baby while the other prays.

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam

Faraz A. Khan