Q 1: I am one of the people of Makkah, I am now on travel for work. I will be back during the days of Hajj (to perform it), but I want to enter Makkah without being in the state of Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) to be able to have sexual intercourse with my wife (residing there) before Ihram for Hajj. After that, I want to enter into the state of Ihram (for Hajj) directly from my house or after performing Ihram at Al-Tan`im for `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) then Tahalul (removal of the ritual state for `Umrah) [to enter into the state of Ihram for Hajj]. Is it valid for me to enter Makkah without Ihram by performing Ihram for Hajj from my house, but after having sexual intercourse with my wife first?

A: Generally speaking, a person who is coming to Makkah to perform Hajj or `Umrah and will be passing by a Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) should perform Ihram from the Miqat whether from among the residents of Makkah or not. (Part No. 10; Page No. 100) This is according to the general Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) on Miqats, in which he says: And these Miqats are for those living at those very places, and also for those who come through those places with the intention of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah. Therefore, when you want to perform Hajj or `Umrah, you should not pass the Miqat without entering into the state of Ihram. However, you can enter into `Umrah-Ihram from the Miqat, and after performing `Umrah in Makkah, make Tahallul from it, and have sexual intercourse with your wife, then enter into Ihram for Hajj.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.