Q 1: A woman entered the state of Ihram with the intention of performing `Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) then she had her menses. For this reason, she did not perform Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and Sa`y (going between Safa and Marwah). She returned home and removed her Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah). If she did not remove her Ihram, is there any harm on her?

A: If a woman intends to perform `Umrah then she has her menses and removes her Ihram before performing Tawaf and Sa`y, then, she has to complete her `Umrah after her menses ends if she does not know the legal ruling and her husband has not had sexual intercourse with her. She should make Ghusl (ritual bathing) as she does from Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge), then she should perform Tawaf, Sa`y and remove her Ihram after shortening the hair of her head and there is no harm on her. If her husband has sexual intercourse with her, her `Umrah will be invalid. She has to complete her Tawaf, Sa`y and shorten the hair of her head. It is obligatory upon her to make up for that `Umrah with another one starting from the Miqat (sites of starting the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) from which she started her first Ihram. She should slaughter a sacrificial animal; either a sheep whose age starts from 6 months and upwards, or a goat whose age starts from one year and upwards. It should be slaughtered in Makkah and its meat should be distributed to the poor there. If the woman does not remove her Ihram for `Umrah, she has to complete it by Tawaf, Sa`y and remove her Ihram for `Umrah by cutting the hair of her head. In any case, her `Umrah is not nullified by menstruation. (Part No. 11; Page No. 324) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.