Q 1: A woman says that the monthly period came to her during the blessed month of Ramadan and lasted for four days, though her regular monthly period usually lasts for seven days. On the sixth day, she performed the after-menstruation Ghusl (full ritual bath) after the blood had ceased on the fifth day. Having performed the after-menstruation Ghusl on the sixth day, she made Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) for `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) intending to perform `Umrah and offered the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer in her house located in the district of Al-Bahah. Then, she headed along with her family towards Makkah Al-Mukarramah to commence the rituals of `Umrah. Upon their arrival at the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) of "Muharram Valley" at 5 o'clock p.m., she noticed the existence of traces of the monthly period in the form of dark brown blood. Thus, she was not quite sure of her ritual purity, and therefore she made the intention to perform `Umrah from the Miqat when she is sure of her purity; that is, she delayed the start of `Umrah until she sees that she is ritually pure. Two days after their arrival at Makkah, she was certain about her ritual purity and accordingly she made Ihram for performing `Umrah from the apartment in Al-Haram and performed `Umrah. (Part No. 10; Page No. 116) Is her `Umrah valid in this case? What should she do if her `Umrah is invalid? Kindly provide us with the legal opinion on this question. May Allah benefit you.

A: If the menstruating woman intended to perform `Umrah and made Ihram for it from the specified Miqat, but she delayed Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah during Hajj and `Umrah) until she becomes ritually pure from her menstruation, then her `Umrah is valid, and there is no violation in this act. But, if she delayed the intention of making Ihram for `Umrah until she has become ritually pure in the apartment in Makkah and then intended Ihram from the apartment, then her `Umrah is also valid, but she has to offer Dam (atonement required of a pilgrim for a willful violation of a prohibition or obligation while in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) on account of her negligence of making the intention for Ihram at the Miqat. Dam is to offer a sheep which suffices for Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims). It should be slaughtered in Makkah and its meat be distributed among the poor therein.We ask Allah for success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, upon his family and his Companions.