Q 2: I received a message from a Syrian Muslim sister named Suhailah Al-Ja`un who lives in
Halab,
Syria
in which she requests that I solve her problem. She did the rituals of Hajj except Tawaf-ul-Ifadah (final obligatory circumambulation of the Ka`bah in Hajj) due to a serious illness that caused her to be bedridden. When she recovered from her illness, she still could not do Tawaf-ul-Ifadah due to the spread of the false rumor of the appearance of the Awaited
Al-Mahdy
(a righteous man named after the Prophet who will appear as a sign of the end of times and will rule according to the Islamic Law). As a result of the assault launched on Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah), she had no choice but to travel back to her country to care for her young children. She has not yet made Tahalul (removal of the ritual state for Hajj).I replied to her inquiry by publishing the answer in `Ukaz journal on Saturday, 19 Muharram, 1400 A.H. I promised to submit the inquiry to scholars in my country (Part No. 11; Page No. 236) hoping that they may find a solution to her problem.The question that poses itself here is: Is it permissible for her to arrange for someone to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah on her behalf? Or does she have to go back to
Al-Masjid Al-Haram
(the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) and perform Tawaf herself?
A:
Tawaf-ul-Ifadah is an essential requirement for the validity of Hajj without which Tahalul (removal of the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) can not be made. Based on the circumstances mentioned in the question, the delay to perform Tawaf is excused. However, she has to travel to Makkah to perform this Tawaf; otherwise her Hajj will be considered invalid. It is not permissible also for her to arrange for someone to perform it on her behalf.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.