Q 1: What is the ruling on someone who entered Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) for `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) from Kuday after performing Hajj? Three ladies and one man who accompanied them did so because Kuday was the abode of the pilgrims who came by land from Jordan. They were in a hurry as every one else in their group was doing Tamattu` Hajj (`Umrah during the months of Hajj followed by Hajj in the same year with a break in between). However, because the time of departure was approaching and they were unable to go to Al-Tan`im as well as their fear of the crowds; some people entered Ihram from Kuday thinking that there was a similarity between their situation and that of the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he ordered `Aishah to enter Ihram from Al-Tan`im. The Messenger (peace be upon him) also entered Ihram for `Umrah from Al-Ji`ranah and Al-Tan`im. Since Al-Ji`ranah and Kuday belong to Al-Hil (all areas which are outside the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah), what is the ruling on these ladies entering Ihram from Kuday? Is their `Umrah valid?

A: Those who entered Ihram from Kuday were incorrect because Kuday does not belong to Al-Hil. Rather, it belongs to Al-Haram (all areas which are inside the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah). It is not the same as Al-Tan`im or Al-Ji`ranah for both of Al-Tan`im and Al-Ji`ranah belong to Al-Hill. The Prophet (Part No. 11; Page No. 153) (peace be upon him) entered Ihram for `Umrah from Al-Ji`ranah but not from Al-Tan`im. The Prophet (peace be upon him) only ordered `Abdul-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr to go with his sister `Aishah to enter Ihram for `Umrah from Al-Tan`im because it is the nearest place of Al-Hil to Al-Haram. Had entering Ihram for `Umrah been permissible according to Shari`ah (Islamic law) from inside the borders of Al-Haram, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have permitted `Aishah to enter Ihram from her place in Al-Abtah. Likewise, he (peace be upon him) would not have asked her and her brother to go to Al-Tan`im to enter Ihram for `Umrah just to avoid unnecessary difficulty while traveling as it was the habit of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to choose the easier option as long as it did not constitute a sin. Moreover, it is not right to liken Kuday to Al-Tan`im and Al-Ji`ranah as belonging to Al-Hil because entering the state of Ihram from the Miqat is a devotional matter. Regardless, the `Umrah of the ladies in question is valid; however, each of them should offer a sacrifice because they entered Ihram from Al-Haram.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.