Q 3: What should a person do if he wears the garments of Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) for Hajj or `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) then he cancels his intention to perform Hajj or `Umrah?

A: If a person wears Izar (garment worn below the waist) and Rida' (upper garment) but he does not have the intention to perform Hajj or `Umrah, and he does not recite Talbiyah (saying: Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk), then he may begin Hajj or `Umrah or he may cancel it. There is no sin on him if he has already performed Hajj and `Umrah. If he has already intended to start Hajj or `Umrah, he cannot cancel that and then change his mind; rather, he must complete the Hajj or `Umrah for which he entered into the state of Ihram, in the legal manner. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), the Hajj and ‘Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allâh. Hence, it should be clear that once the Muslim starts Hajj or (Part No. 11; Page No. 167) `Umrah with the appropriate intention, he does not have the right to just stop; rather, he must complete what he has started. This is because of the Ayah quoted above, unless he has made a condition in case something prevented him from doing so. In that case he may end his Ihram. When Duba`ah bint Al-Zubayr said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): O Messenger of Allah, I want to perform Hajj but I am not sure (I will be able to do it?). He said: Enter into the state of Ihram on the condition that you would abandon it when Allah would detain you. Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.