What to Do If You Entered Ihram but Did Not Complete Umrah

Steps to Take When Unable to Complete Umrah After Entering Ihram

Question: My mother went for Umrah. She went from Haram Sharif to Masjid Aisha, wore the Ihram for Umrah, and returned to Haram. However, due to some reason, she did not perform Umrah and went back to India. What should we do now? At that time, we did not have money for the sacrifice (Dam). Can we perform the sacrifice at home?

Answer: Umrah is such an act of worship that once a person enters into it, changing clothes or deciding not to perform Umrah does not end the state of Ihram. Once a person wears the Ihram for Umrah, they remain in Ihram until they complete the Umrah. Your mother should have considered whether she could perform Umrah before wearing the Ihram. Many people desire to perform Umrah repeatedly after coming for Umrah, which is against the Sunnah. Your mother should first repent to Allah because she wore the Ihram for Umrah and left for India without performing it. Since she cannot return from India now, she is considered in the state of “Muhsar,” meaning someone who is prevented from completing Umrah. In this situation, a sacrifice (Dam) should be given on her behalf within the boundaries of Makkah. After giving the sacrifice, she should cut a small portion of hair from the lower part of her head to exit the state of Ihram. She should avoid the prohibitions of Ihram and the sacrifice must be given in Makkah, not in India.

Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظه الله

 ❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫