Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Sending a proposal for engagement, contracting a marriage (nikah), and arranging a marriage—all these matters are forbidden (haram) for one in the state of ihram (muhrim). The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam married Sayyidah Maymunah radi Allahu anha before entering the state of ihram. In this matter, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma was not aware of the actual circumstances, and due to some misconception, he thought that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had contracted the marriage while in the state of ihram. It is possible that when this marriage became well-known, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam happened to be in the state of ihram at that time, and Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu assumed that the marriage had just taken place. Sayyidah Maymunah radi Allahu anha was the one directly involved in the incident, and Sayyiduna Abu Rafi radi Allahu anhu was the envoy for this marriage; both of them narrate that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam married before entering the state of ihram. Furthermore, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has declared marriage for a muhrim to be haram, so these indications support the view that this marriage of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam took place before ihram.

The original name of Sayyidah Maymunah radi Allahu anha was Barrah; the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam changed her name to Maymunah. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam married her before entering the state of ihram during the occasion of ‘Umrat al-Qada in Dhu al-Hijjah, 7 AH, and after performing the ‘umrah, he consummated the marriage.