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Fatwa CenterAssuming the state of Ihraam in the plane
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.
Answer
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 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
If a person travels by plane for Hajj or ‘Umrah [lesser pilgrimage], he/she should assume the state of Ihraam [ritual consecration] when nearing the Meeqaat [designated points where Ihraam must be assumed for those intending pilgrimage] by which they will pass. He may perform the two Rak’ahs [units] of Ihraam while in the plane; the Prophet 
used to pray supererogatory prayers while riding his camel wherever it headed – meaning it is not obligatory that one face the Qiblah [i.e., the Ka’bah]. 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 [the 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, he should uncover her face and hands; he should also make them avoid all the restrictions of Ihraam, and make them perform Tawaaf [circumambulation of the Ka’bah] and Sa’i [walking between Mounts Safa and Marwah] Then, he should shave his hair or trim it, and if it is a girl, he should only trim her hair; in this case, the child would have completed his/her ‘Umrah.
Allaah Knows best.
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