Question
I entered Makkah on a business trip and I did not assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat (designated point for Ihraam) determined for my country, Egypt. I am in Makkah now and I want to perform ‘Umrah. Should I assume Ihraam from At-Tan‘eem, the Meeqaat of the people of Makkah as well as those who stay in it? Or should I go back to the Meeqaat of the Egyptians, which is Al-Madeenah Al-Munawwarah? It should be taken into consideration that I have been in Makkah for three days. If I am required to slaughter as compensation, may I observe fasting instead because I am unable to offer an animal?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.
For whoever wishes to enter Makkah for a certain need while he is not intending to perform either Hajj or ‘Umrah, it is recommended for him to assume Ihraam to perform ‘Umrah anyway. Some scholars are of the view that this is obligatory. The preponderant opinion, in our viewpoint, is that it is not obligatory.
Consequently, if you entered Makkah for work and then you wanted to perform ‘Umrah, then your Meeqaat is that of the Makkans, which is Al-Hill (the area outside the sanctuary). You can assume Ihraam from At-Tan‘eem, and you are not required to go back to the Meeqaat of your country. As evidence, the Prophet commanded ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abi Bakr to take (his sister) ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with the two of them, to At-Tan‘eem when she wanted to perform ‘Umrah while she was in Makkah.
If you go out to the nearest place of Al-Hill and assume Ihraam for ‘Umrah, you will indeed do what you are required to do and are not obliged to fast or slaughter.
Incidentally, we alert you to the fact, the Meeqaat of the Egyptians for Hajj and ‘Umrah is Al-Juhfah, and not Al-Madeenah Al-Munawwarah. The Prophet made Al-Juhfah the Meeqaat of the people of Ash-Shaam (greater Syria) as well as the countries beyond it.
On another note, if a person entered Makkah intending to perform ‘Umrah and did not assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat, he is required to go back to the Meeqaat of his country and assume Ihraam from there. If he assumed Ihraam without going back to the Meeqaat, he is required to offer a sacrificial animal. If he is incapable of offering the sacrificial animal, then he is required to fast ten days instead.
Allah Knows best.