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:

Dear Brother,

I stay in Jeddah. Last year, I took my friend for Umrah, but they had closed umrah few days before Hajj, and hence, we had to return back. We only had the intention of performing Umrah and not Hajj.

We came back and removed our ehram. Now, we know that some kaffara needs to be given and I need to be sure what all kaffara do we need to give.

1. For not able to perform Umrah

2. For removing Ehram without sacrificing Animal and Shaving the head

Does this mean that I will have to sacrifice 2 sheeps? Is it necessary that the sacrifice has to be done in Makkah?

Also, I have doubts that if one intends to do Umrah during Hajj Months, then Hajj becomes compulsory on him? is it true?

Please help

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Atonement for not performing umrah after ehram

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.

Your Question: …..Does this mean that I will have to sacrifice 2 sheeps?

If one adorns the ‘ehram’ with the intention to perform pilgrimage (Umrah or Hajj), and for any reason is unable to or prevented from fulfilling the pilgrimage, the atonement is to offer one sacrifice as ‘kaffarah’.

Because you were prevented from and thus were unable to fulfill your intention for Umrah, your atonement of one sacrifice each (one for you and one for your friend) would more than suffice as ‘kaffarah’.

Your Question: ….Is it necessary that the sacrifice has to be done in Makkah?

The sacrifice for atonement for not fulfilling the Umrah pilgrimage is best offered in Makkah. Since you live in Jeddah, you could go to Makkah and offer the atonement sacrifice for yourself and your friend, or alternatively, you could purchase an atonement coupon from the authorities in Makkah who would perform the sacrifice on your behalf, and that would suffice.

Your Question: …..Also, I have doubts that if one intends to do Umrah during Hajj Months, then Hajj becomes compulsory on him? is it true?

The pilgrimage of Hajj is obligatory on every sane believing adult who has the financial and physical means to afford the journey.

If one makes intention to perform only the Umrah pilgrimage, regardless of whether they intend to perform this Umrah during the Hajj days or otherwise, then they are liable to perform only the Umrah pilgrimage.

Just because one makes intention or happens to perform the Umrah pilgrimage during the Hajj season or days, does not necessary make the subsequent Hajj obligatory upon them.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan