Re: Some questions about Umrah
So you guys know that Inshallah i will be going on Umrah this week. I have a few questions and would really appreciate some answers.
Assalamu'alaikum
Mubarak once again please pray Allah (SWT) gives myself and my family an opportunity to attend also. I will try to suggest some advice for the questions you ask.
- As its going to be v hot when we go - I have been told it would be ok to wear shorts under my abaya as i would be covered up. I personally wouldnt feel comfortable at all. But would that be ok or is it better to just wear a thin material clothes under it.
Try to find very loose fitting light trousers with elasticated waste. It is better that you wear something to the ankles because during sajdah the legs can be seen otherwise.
- I know men have to wear chappals which dont cover their ankles but what about women? Is there any restrictions on women on what they can and cant wear?
To clarfiy men cannot cover ankle and the bone on top of the foot also, but women may choose to cover everything or may choose to cover the minimum. Hands can be covered, but not necessary, feet can be covered but not necessary and face can be covered, but no material can touch the face some women choose to do this with a frame that they use over which is a loose drape. This may be impractical.
- Most imp question! Niyats. How does one do Niyat? I know how to do it on umrah and normal salat but when you are doing nafl tawaaf, janaazah namaaz, namaaz @ Maqaam Ibrahim and other places, how would you do niyat? How would you read it? Would it be ok to Niyat in your own language?
Niyat is not a set of words it is an internal state of intention. The niyat described in fiqh are for what the state is to entail. So language does not come into it. The internal state for whatever ibadah needs to be present in the heart only. e.g. I intend to do such and such to fulfil the requirement of such and such.
- Me n hubby will be doing the umrah together inshallah - that means staying close together. For reading salat, i guess its seperate right? I mean, women and men pray seperately? If we are doing Umrah together, namaaz at Maqaam Ibrahim - can that be done together?
People can pray anywhere in the mattaaf area, please do not be disappointed if you cannot pray right at the muqaam-e-ibrahim it is acceptable to pray in the masjid area to the back also, people will be doing tawaaf and it could become inconvenient.
- I am taking a v small strappy shoulder bag which you wear over the shoulder. I will be wearing it under my Abaya - would that be ok? If so, can i lift my Abaya in order to access my bag which will obviously mean question 1 will become invalid at this point?
Wear something inside yes, but strappy bags? I'm not sure. The female guards there will frisk you 9 times out of 10 and if they feel a bulge they will get you to remove it. Try to make a hole in you abaya's pocket and connect it with a zip. Then you will have access to your pouch via your pocket and it will be sealable too. make sure you split the money you have over different parts of your anatomy, keep money to use in easy access and money to protect in obscure places and split up between hubby too. This will be safer.
Never leave money in your hotel!
- Im also taking a small quran which i hope to finish inshallah through my journey. How do i carry that when i am at the masjid? What do i do when i read namaaz, where do i put it? Can i put it in my bag?
Take it in to the masjid in your hand, so you can show what you are holding at the entrance. You can put it in your pocket during prayer or on one of the shelves, but remember to take it after salaat is over.
- Am i allowed to wear underarm deodrant/perfume when out of Ihram? Is that allowed when it is not when you are in Ihram?
Your help would be very much appreciated. Jazakallah Khair.
Yes outside ihram deodourant or perfume is allowed. Perfume may be applied after ghusl before ihram once, after wearing it then no more perfume. Caution should be that perfume is not too strong, but enough to combat bad smells.