The Committed Believer · Hajj & Umrah

Entering Ihram for 'Umrah and Hajj

Test your knowledge of entering ihram from various locations and circumstances.

7 questions · Medium · about 5 minutes

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7 questions, about 5 minutes.

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1. What must someone do if they intended ‘umrah but passed the miqat without entering ihram?

  • Offer a sheep in the Haram and distribute its meat to the poor there. (correct answer)
  • Repeat every later ‘umrah they performed.
  • Fast three days instead in all cases.
  • Pray two rak‘ahs after wearing ihram garments and nothing else.

Why

Someone who intends Hajj or ‘umrah must enter ihram from the miqat they pass or from a place in line with it. Passing the miqat without ihram is not permissible. According to the majority view cited, the person must offer a sheep that qualifies as an udhiyah, slaughter it in the Haram, and distribute the meat to the poor there; they should not eat from it. If the person cannot do that, repentance is sufficient according to the view quoted. Not praying two rak‘ahs after putting on ihram garments does not require anything.

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2. When should an airplane passenger enter ihram if the plane will pass over or in line with the miqat?

  • When coming in line with the miqat, or slightly before it to be safe. (correct answer)
  • Only after landing in Jeddah.
  • Only after reaching Makkah.
  • Before travel begins in every case.

Why

A person who passes by the miqat must enter ihram from that point; if travelling by air, they enter ihram when the plane comes in line with the miqat. Because planes pass quickly and cannot stop at the miqat, there is nothing wrong with entering ihram a little before reaching it to be safe and avoid passing it without ihram. Entering ihram before the miqat is not the Sunnah in normal circumstances, but it may be done here as a precaution.

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3. If someone travels first to Madinah and intends to do ‘umrah from there, where should they enter ihram?

  • From Dhu’l-Hulayfah, the miqat of Madinah. (correct answer)
  • From Jeddah when they first arrive there without intending ‘umrah.
  • From inside Makkah.
  • Only after visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.

Why

If a person first travels to Jeddah without intending to do ‘umrah from there, then goes to Madinah and later intends ‘umrah from Madinah, there is nothing wrong with entering ihram from Dhu’l-Hulayfah. The key point is the person’s intention when passing the earlier miqat. If they were originally heading to Madinah and only intended ‘umrah from there, then they enter ihram from Madinah’s miqat and do not owe anything.

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4. If someone is already in Makkah and wants to perform ‘umrah, where should they enter ihram from?

  • From outside the sanctuary. (correct answer)
  • From anywhere inside Makkah.
  • Only from Dhu’l-Hulayfah.
  • Only after returning to their home country.

Why

If someone came to Jeddah without intending ‘umrah, then later decided to do ‘umrah, their ihram from Jeddah is valid and no sacrifice is due. But if a person is already in Makkah and wants to enter ihram for ‘umrah, they should go outside the sanctuary and enter ihram from there, as the Prophet ﷺ instructed ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abi Bakr to take ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها outside the sanctuary so she could enter ihram for ‘umrah.

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5. What should someone who intends to do 'umrah while already in Makkah do?

  • They are exempt from entering ihram.
  • Enter ihram from a miqat.
  • Enter ihram from al-Tan'im or elsewhere outside the Haram. (correct answer)
  • Wait until they leave Makkah and then enter ihram.

Why

The text states that someone intending 'umrah in Makkah should go outside the Haram to a place like al-Tan'im or 'Arafah to enter ihram.

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6. After completing one’s own ‘umrah, where should a person enter ihram to perform ‘umrah on behalf of a deceased parent?

  • From al-Tan‘eem or any place outside the Haram. (correct answer)
  • From the original miqat only.
  • From inside the Ka‘bah area.
  • Only after waiting until the next Hajj season.

Why

A person first enters ihram for their own ‘umrah from the miqat they pass. After completing their own ‘umrah by tawaf, sa‘i, and cutting the hair, they may go outside the Haram, such as to al-Tan‘eem or another nearby place, and enter ihram for ‘umrah on behalf of the deceased parent. They do not need to return to the original miqat.

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7. When does an ‘umrah count as ‘umrah in Ramadan for the special reward mentioned?

  • When it begins with ihram in Ramadan and is completed in Ramadan. (correct answer)
  • When ihram begins in Sha‘ban but tawaf happens in Ramadan.
  • When ihram begins in Ramadan but the rituals finish in Shawwal.
  • When only the intention is made sometime during Ramadan.

Why

‘Umrah in Ramadan has a great reward, but the entire ‘umrah must fall within Ramadan. That means the person must enter ihram in Ramadan and complete the rituals in Ramadan. If someone enters ihram before Maghrib on the last day of Sha‘ban and performs the rituals after Ramadan begins, it does not count as ‘umrah in Ramadan. Likewise, if they enter ihram before sunset on the last day of Ramadan and complete the rituals on the night before Eid, it does not count for that special reward.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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