My question is regarding when and where to put on Ihraam (white towels of clothes) before performing Umrah. I am from India (Hyderabad City) basically now working in Madeenah Munawwarah (Saudi Arabia) and I am planning to go on vacation to Hyderabad. I will be traveling from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to Hyderabad (India) via Qatar with a halt of 5 hours and flight change at Qatar airport as there are no direct flight for my native place i.e. Hyderabad from Madeenah Munawwarah. This same route I will follow while returning i.e. Hyderabad to Qatar and after a halt of 4 hours and flight change I will reach Jeddah. In return if I am planning to perform Umrah Inshaa Allaah, after coming to Jeddah and before coming back to my work place Madeenah Munawwarah. So my question: is when and where to put on Ihraam clothes and do Niyyat for Umrah. Shall I put on Ihraam and do Niyyat at Hyderabad (India) itself or else I can do this in Jeddah also. Or else I have to do it in Qatar at airport. Hope my question is clear, in other words to simplify my question I want to ask if a person in India want to perform Umrah and he take flight for Jeddah, when and where he should do Niyya't and put Ihraam clothes. Can he do after reaching Jeddah? I want answer according to Imaams Hanafi and Shaafi'ee, may Allaah mercy upon them, because I am a Hanafi and my wife is Shaafi'ee and we both are traveling.

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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Jeddah is not a Meeqaat (where one should initiate his intention of 'Umrah).

Therefore, you have to enter in the state of Ihraam with the intention of 'Umrah from any airport which is convenient for you or in the flight during journey before passing by the limits of Meeqaat. For details read Fatwa: 88534.

Allaah knows best.