My wife and I performed ‘Umrah two years ago and my wife did not shorten her hair as she did not know that ending the state of Ihraam is achieved only by shortening the hair. What is the ruling on this? How can she end the state of Ihraam now, bearing in mind that she cut her hair many times after performing ‘Umrah. I did not know about this except now when we are performing another ‘Umrah?May Allaah Reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Our opinion is that the woman who performed ‘Umrah and did not cut her hair out of forgetfulness or ignorance, should shorten her hair after this and end the state of Ihraam and she should not slaughter a sacrifice.

As for the restrictions of Ihraam that were committed by her before ending the state of Ihraam, if these acts were done for self comfort such as wearing perfume or wearing form fitting clothes (for men), she would not be required to do any thing if this was done out of ignorance or forgetfulness. If these acts were acts of removal such as shaving or clipping the nails, she should give a Fidyah (i.e. fasting or charity or sacrifice) for every kind of prohibited act. She should give only one Fidyah for the same kind of act even if it was repeated. ‘Umrah is not invalidated because of having sexual intercourse if this was done out of ignorance or forgetfulness according to the preponderant opinion.

Allaah Knows best.