Expiation is not required for delaying ‘Umrah to the next day
17-9-2014 | IslamWeb
Question:
I assumed Ihram and I intended to travel to perform ‘Umrah with my wife and her mother outside the months of Hajj. When they were late in preparations, I became angry and left them and went alone, knowing that they had already assumed ihram (ritual consecration). I knew that I was required to offer a expiation. I did that out of ignorance. I did not know that a expiation is due upon those who make the intention to perform ‘Umrah but do not accomplish it. If the expiation is obligatory, how can I offer it? What is the type of the expiation, and where can I offer it, knowing that on the next day, I again took them to Makkah and they performed the obligation in the month of Ramadan?
Answer:
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Since your wife and her mother performed ‘Umrah on the next day as you mentioned in your question, then they are not liable to anything as long as they did not do any of the acts that are prohibited during ihram. These acts include removing hair from the head or the body by shaving or any other way; cutting nails; using perfume, after having assumed Ihram, in clothes or the body; and wearing gloves or a niqab (face cover). If they have done any of these acts, then they (not you) are liable to a expiation. The expiation consists of either slaughtering a sheep in the sacred precincts of Makkah and distributing its meat among its people; fasting for three days, even if separate; or giving charity to six poor people—each of them is to be given half a saa‘ (3 liters) of dates, barley, rice or what people eat. A saa‘ consists of four mudds (0.75 liters). A mudd equals two handfuls of a medium sized person.
According to the correct opinion of scholars:
If one commits any of the mentioned prohibitions due to forgetfulness, ignorance or compulsion, then no ransom is due upon him.
Allah Knows best.