Q 2: What is the ruling on a person, who wants to enter Makkah to take their luggage and belongings to travel to another country? Note that they have performed `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) recently in Rajab (the seventh month of the Islamic calendar). Should they assume Ihram (ceremonial state for Hajj and `Umrah) and perform `Umrah or not?

A: Whoever passes by one of the Miqats (sites for entering the ceremonial state for Hajj and `Umrah) that have been authentically set by the (Part No. 10; Page No. 18) Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while they intend to perform Hajj or `Umrah should assume Ihram regardless whether they pass on air or land. However, if they do not wish to perform Hajj or `Umrah, then Ihram is not required. If someone passes the Miqats without intention to perform Hajj or `Umrah then intends to perform Hajj and `Umrah from Makkah or Jeddah, they may enter the state of Ihram from the place of their intention in Makkah or Jeddah. As for intending to perform `Umrah by someone who is outside the Al-Haram (all areas within the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah), they should assume Ihram from the place where they intend to make `Umrah. However, if someone intends to perform `Umrah after entering into the Al-Haram, they must go out to the nearest point of Al-Hil (all areas outside the Sacred Sanctuary of Makkah) and assume the state of Ihram for `Umrah from it. Leaving an interval between one `Umrah and the next of a period of forty days, a week or the like is not lawfully established. Therefore, a person can repeat `Umrah several times in the year without having an interval between a `Umrah and the next.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.