Q.        Two persons were coming for ‘Umrah by airplane from their home country.  They made the intention to make ‘Umrah in their home country, but they did not put on the Ihraam clothes until they arrived at Jeddah.  Is their ‘Umrah still valid?

A.        Many people who come for ‘Umrah or Hajj by airplane, perform the Ihraam rituals at the airport in Jeddah, and this is not permissible, because the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, when he fixed the Meeqaats for every direction (i.e. places from which one assumed Ihraam), he said: “They are for those who come through them”.   During the reign of the Caliph 'Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him,  Muslims coming from Iraq complained to him that Qarn Al-Manaazil, which is their Meeqaat, was not on their way, he said:  “Assume your Ihraam from the place closest to Qarn Al-Manaazil and which falls on your way”.  This leads one to conclude that a person coming by airplane should assume Ihraam when he knows he is nearing the Meeqaat, and should not postpone it until he descends from the airplane.  A person, who has started Ihraam for 'Umrah from Jeddah instead of from the Meeqaat, should go back to the Meeqaat place and assume Ihraam once again. If however it is not possible for him to go back to the Meeqaat, then he assumes Ihraam from Jeddah and upon arriving in Makkah he should slaughter a sheep and distribute it to the poor as atonement.  If he cannot afford to buy a sheep, he should ask forgiveness from Allaah and repent, no atonement is on him and his ‘Umrah is valid. Allaah Knows best.

Q.        I like to wear makeup and I wonder if I can wear lipstick, powder etc. during Hajj?  What about wearing my jewelry?  Can I use my regular soap and shampoo? I also like to use wet-ones just about anytime, can I do so in a state of Ihraam?

A.        In the state of Ihraam you are not allowed to wear any makeup nor Kohl.  As for jewels, rings bracelets etc. they can be worn as long as they do not show.  It is better not to wear any at a time and place of worship.  You cannot use your regular perfumed soap or shampoo, nor use any wet-ones. Allaah Knows best.

Q.        What if my menses come while I am doing Hajj?

A.        If the menses come before the Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah, you should wait till the end of your menses, for the farewell Tawaaf the last Tawaaf before leaving Makkah, is obligatory, but the one with menses who must leave, is exempted. The Tawaaf of Ifaadhah is one of the pillars of Hajj, thus Hajj is not valid without it. Allaah Knows best.