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She had her menses and returned home before performing Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah

Question

I performed Hajj last year and performed all its rites except Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah (the Hajj circumambulation) and the Farewell Tawaaf as I was menstruating. After that, I returned to my home at Madeenah and intended to return one day to perform Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah and the Farewell Tawaaf. Because of my ignorance in matters of religion, I ended the state of Ihraam (ritual consecration) and did everything that was prohibited during Ihraam. When I wanted to return to perform Tawaaf, I asked and I was told that I could not perform Tawaaf as I had invalidated everything and I had to perform Hajj once again the following year and I have to also slaughter a cow or a camel. Is this true? Is there any other solution? Is my Hajj invalid? Should I perform it again? Please advise. May Allaah bless you.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said: "This is one of the problems that result from giving Fatwa (rulings) without knowledge. In your case, you should return to Makkah and perform Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah only. You do not have to perform the Farewell Tawaaf as long as you were menstruating when you left Makkah. Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered people to perform the farewell Tawaaf as the last thing before leaving Makkah, but he excused women who were menstruating.” Also, when the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was told that Safiyyah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her had performed Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah, he said that she could leave Makkah. This proves that women who are menstruating do not have to perform the Farewell Tawaaf, but they must perform Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah. As long as you did all matters that are prohibited while assuming the state of Ihraam out of ignorance, there is no harm, as the one who does any prohibited matter without knowing does not bear any sin. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

  • {"Our Lord, Do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.} [Quran 2:286]
  • {And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended.} [Quran 33:5]

As for the prohibitions that Allaah The Almighty forbade for the one who assumes the state of Ihraam, if they were done because of forgetfulness or ignorance, the person would bear no sin, but he should give up what he is doing as soon as he realizes or remembers."

Allaah Knows best.

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