The ruling concerning the `Umra of At-Tan`îm | The official website of Sheikh Muhammad Ali FERKUS
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Friday 10 Shawwâl 1445 H - April 19, 2024 G

Fatwa: 638

Category: fatwas about hajj

The ruling concerning the `Umra of At-Tan`îm(1)

The question:

Is assuming the state of Ihrâm(2) from At-Tan`îm specific to `Âisha رضي الله عنها and anyone who is in the same case, or is this general?

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

The `Umra of At-Tan`îm is specific to the menstruating woman who is not able to perform the `Umra of hajj because of her menstruation, so the woman who is pure does not undergo the same ruling since the two cases are different and a fortiori, the men. In fact, no one of those who were with the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم performed `Umra from At-Tan`îm save `Âisha رضي الله عنها(3), because she menstruated, so she could not make Tawâf (circumambulation around the Ka`ba). For this reason, the Salaf (Predecessors) refrained from the `Umra of Tan`îm, and some of them declared it detestable. Furthermore, the scholars have stipulated that it is among the innovated things (in religion). There is no authentically established text even concerning Âisha رضي الله عنها herself that she did it afterwards. Indeed, when she performs hajj she waits till the beginning of the month Al-Muharram, then she goes to Al-Juhfa(4) in order to assume the sate of Ihram for a `Umra(5). Shaykh Al-Islâm Ibn Taymiyya said: “It is detestable to go out from Mecca in order to perform a supererogatory `Umra, it is in fact, an innovation which neither the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم nor his Companions did during his generation and neither in Ramadan nor in other days. Moreover, the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم did not order Âisha to perform it, but he allowed her to perform it after her discussion with him, in order to soften her heart. Besides, there is a consensus among scholars that circumambulating around the House (Ka`ba) is better than going out (in order to perform a supererogatory `Umra)”(6).

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Safar 23rd, 1428H.
Corresponding to: March 12th, 2007.


(1) At-Tan`îm : a place towards the north of Makka outside the sanctuary from where Makkans may assume the state of Ihrâm to perform 'Umra.

(2) Ihrâm: The state in which one is prohibited from doing certain things which are lawful at other times. `Umra and Hajj are performed in such a state.

(3) Reported by Al-Bukhâri , chapter of “Hajj” (hadith 1481), Muslim, chapter of “Hajj” (hadith 2910), Abu Dâwûd, chapter of “Rites” (hadith 1781), An-Nassâ'i, chapter of “Purification” (hadith 242), Mâlik in “Al-Muwatta’ ” (hadith 924), Ibn Hibbân (hadith 3917), Ibn Khuzayma (hadith 2788) and Ahmad (24913) on the authority of `Âisha رضي الله عنها.

(4) Al-Juhfa: The Miqât (The place where Muslims declare their intention to make Hajj or `Umra and begin the state of Ihrâm.)of the people of Shâm.

(5) See: “Majmû` Al-Fatâwa” by Ibn Taymiyya (92/26).

(6) See: “Ikhtiyârât Ibn Taymiyya” (119).


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