Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)
Question:
There is no doubt that Tawaf al-Ifadah is a pillar of Hajj. If a woman, due to time constraints, is unable to perform it and waiting until she is pure is also not possible, what is the ruling in this situation?
Answer:
It is obligatory for the woman and her guardian to wait until she becomes pure and performs Tawaf al-Ifadah. When Lady Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) encountered menstruation, it was reported to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He asked:
”Is she going to hold us back?” When he was informed that she had already performed Tawaf al-Ifadah, he said: “Then proceed.”
If it is not possible for the woman to wait, but she can return to Makkah later to perform the Tawaf, then it is permissible for her to travel back (without performing Tawaf). However, once she attains purity, she must return to Makkah to complete the Tawaf.
If returning is not feasible or there is a risk that she may not be able to come back, as is the case for people residing far from Makkah, such as those from the Maghreb or Indonesia, the correct ruling is that she should perform Tawaf with precautionary measures in place, intending Hajj. This will suffice her. This opinion is also held by Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, his notable student Allama Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on them), and a group of other scholars.
And Allah knows best. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Question:
There is no doubt that Tawaf al-Ifadah is a pillar of Hajj. If a woman, due to time constraints, is unable to perform it and waiting until she is pure is also not possible, what is the ruling in this situation?
Answer:
It is obligatory for the woman and her guardian to wait until she becomes pure and performs Tawaf al-Ifadah. When Lady Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) encountered menstruation, it was reported to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He asked:
”Is she going to hold us back?” When he was informed that she had already performed Tawaf al-Ifadah, he said: “Then proceed.”
If it is not possible for the woman to wait, but she can return to Makkah later to perform the Tawaf, then it is permissible for her to travel back (without performing Tawaf). However, once she attains purity, she must return to Makkah to complete the Tawaf.
If returning is not feasible or there is a risk that she may not be able to come back, as is the case for people residing far from Makkah, such as those from the Maghreb or Indonesia, the correct ruling is that she should perform Tawaf with precautionary measures in place, intending Hajj. This will suffice her. This opinion is also held by Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, his notable student Allama Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on them), and a group of other scholars.
And Allah knows best. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.