Question:
Are we allowed to say the 'Umrah Niyyah (intention) in the plane while crossing the Meeqaat. If yes, then how about the 2 rak'ahs of Ihraam prayer, can it be done after landing in the Jeddah airport? I am asking this question for my kids who are 3 and 7 years old.
Fatwa:
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.
If a person travels by plane for Hajj or ‘Umrah, he/she should assume the state of Ihraam when he nears the Meeqaat by which he will pass. He may perform the two Rak’ahs of Ihraam while in the plane; the Prophet used to pray supererogatory prayers while riding his camel wherever it heads – meaning it is not obligatory that he faces the Qiblah. It is also acceptable for a person to perform these two Rak’ahs before boarding the plane.
It should be mentioned that the two Rak’ahs of Ihraam are a Sunnah (an optional act) and not an obligation; this is the preponderant opinion of the scholars . Moreover, some scholars are of the view that they are not legislated at all.
It should also be mentioned that it is the guardian of the child who should make the intention for him [child] entering the state of Ihraam. For instance, he should say when making him enter the state of Ihraam: ‘‘I have the intention of making this child enter the state of Ihraam for ‘Umrah.’’ He then should make him perform all the rituals and not cover his head and deprive him of form-fitting clothes if he is a boy, and if it is a girl, one should uncover her face and hands, and one should make them avoid all the restrictions of Ihraam, and make them perform Tawaaf and Sa’i. Then, one should shave his hair or trim it, and if it is a girl, one should only trim her hair; in this case, the child would have completed his/her ‘Umrah.
Allah Knows best.
Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb