I entered Makkah on a business trip and I did not assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat determined for my country, Egypt. I am in Makkaah 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?

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.

Whoever wanted 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. 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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, commanded ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abi Bakr to take ‘Aa’ishah to At-Tan‘eem when she wanted to perform ‘Umrah while she was in Makkah.

If you went out to the nearest place of Al-Hill and assumed Ihraam for ‘Umrah, you have indeed done what you are required to do and you are not obliged to fast or slaughter.

We alert that the Meeqaat of the Egyptians for Hajj and ‘Umrah is Al-Juhfah, not Al-Madeenah Al-Munawwarah. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, made Al-Juhfah the Meeqaat of the people of Ash-Shaam as well as the other countries beyond it.

But if you entered Makkah intending to perform ‘Umrah and did not assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat, you are required to go back to the Meeqaat of your country and assume Ihraam. If you assumed Ihraam without going back to the Meeqaat, you are required to offer a sacrificial animal. If you are incapable of offering the sacrificial animal, you are required to fast ten days instead.