Questions about Meeqat, Ihram and number of Umrah.
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
As.salam Dear Brother.I have been through almost alle questions/answers in order to solve my questions due to umrah. I have found lots of useful things but I still have some small questions to clear. And I am really thankful to you all that you are giving us guide in order to not to make sin - May Allah (swt) bless you. 1. Me and my wife will start from Istanbul to Mecca. Should we start our intention & wear Ihram from "Home" or at "the Airport Mosque" or at the hotel in Makkah. I think it will be hard for me to enter in Ihram when the Flight near to the Meeqat. 2. While I am in Ihram... can I eat and Carry things? Is it okay that we take littlbit rest when we reach our hotel in mecca and make wudu and start the tawaf and so on..? 4. I got to know that is not permissble during umrah or tawaf to carry a hand bag since it has been stitched? Can a woman carrry a hand bag during tawaf or umrah. 3. While I am in Ihram and during Performing the Umrah is it permissible that my wife holds my hand. It is due to there are lots of people and she is worried to be lost. 4. I have read here that is sunnah to do only one umrah pr.visit. But what about do only one umrah for myself and another for someone else who is alive or dead. Does it count as one umrah or two umrah. I actually want to keep the sunnah here. 5. Can a husband help wife in cutting her hair after umrah? or Does she has to do by herself. Looking forward to hear your reply. Hopefully you can make it fast since we have to leave for umrah in 11 days.
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Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Brother if you are not comfortable to don the ehram in flight when the meeqat is reached, there is no harm if you wear it from your house in Istanbul and make niyah (intention) from there itself. The ehram and the niyah has to be done from any place outside the meeqat.
There is no problem of doing almost any/all things after making niyah and wearing the ehram. You can eat anything halal, carry your luggage, sleep and rest etc., without any worry. When you reach Mecca Mukarramah, you can rest awhile, then make wudu and make yourself available for salah, tawaf, sai etc..Men cannot wear any stitched garment, but they can carry anything they like, which will include a cloth bag or any other type of bag. Women can wear stitched clothes and they can carry what they desire.Whilst performing tawaf etc., it would be wiser if your wife held the corner of your top ehram or the belt of your handbag. Holding of hands could be objectionable in the House of Allah swt..There is no harm if one desires to do more than one Umrah if they are staying in Mecca for a few days. One must go to Masjid Aisha (as it is the nearest meeqat for those already in Mecca), make the niyah and wear the ehram and enter the Haram limits to perform the rituals of tawaf, sai etc..The women have to cut a small lock of their hair by themselves, or other ladies can help if necessary. The close mixing of genders should be avoided as far as possible as other pilgrims could be offended. However, there is no restriction on a husband to help, but it must not be done in the open.May Allah swt accept your pilgrimage. InshaAllah.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
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