QUESTION:
When going for Umrah is it permissible to wear Ihram on the Mataaf even when one isn’t performing Umrah, due to the laws imposed by the government which prohibits those who are not performing Umrah to enter the Mataaf area?
ANSWER:
Hereunder we have reproduced one of our Fatwas in regard to accessing the Mataaf in a state of Ihraam and hacking the Rowdah App:
In our opinion, it is deception to delete the booking and re-book. Undoubtedly, the Saudis have no right to restrict the people in the house of Allah, but that in no way means that we should deceive when using the App. Our objective is the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and not the Rowdah although we fully accept the position and virtue of the Rowdah. However, if we were unable to enter the Rowdah even once, but Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam are pleased with us, then that is the greatest success. On the other hand, if we enter the Rowdah daily but Allah Ta’ala is displeased with us then we are losers.
Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam told Hadrat Muaaz Radiallahu Anhu when he was departing to Yemen that perhaps you will pass by my Masjid when you return as Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would have left the world. Hadrat Muaaz Radiallahu Anhu began crying due to his separation from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “The closest people to me on the day of Qiyaamah are the Allah-fearing whoever they may be and wherever they may be.” Obey Allah and you will enjoy my closeness on the day of Qiyaamah.
The same applies to Makkah Sharif that one should refrain from deception. However, if after performing Umrah, one delays the trimming of the hair and therefore remains for a longer period in Ihraam, then there is no harm in doing so. However, one should exercise caution as the laws of Ihraam will be applicable. As long as one is in Ihraam, he may access the Mataaf as many times as he wishes. Also, if one performs several Umrahs, then each time he is in Ihraam, he may access the Mataaf.
عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ قَالَ: لَمَّا بَعَثَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُوصِيهِ وَمُعَاذٌ رَاكِبٌ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْشِي تَحْتَ رَاحِلَتِهِ، فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ: ” يَا مُعَاذُ إِنَّكَ عَسَى أَنْ لَا تَلْقَانِي بَعْدَ عَامِي هَذَا وَلَعَلَّكَ أنَ تَمُرَّ بِمَسْجِدِي هَذَا، وَقَبْرِي “. فَبَكَى مُعَاذٌ جَشَعًا لِفِرَاقِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ فَأَقْبَلَ بِوَجْهِهِ نَحْوَ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ: ” إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِي الْمُتَّقُونَ مَنْ كَانُوا وَحَيْثُ كَانُوا ” (مسند بزار)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 16 Rajab 1445 / 28 January 2024
