Fatwa ID: 08180

Answered by:
Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Question:
What do the mashā’ikh say regarding wearing ihram attire solely to access the mataf or for nafl tawāf?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

When one intends to perform Ḥajj or ʿUmrah, one of the primary objectives is the expiation of sins, a virtue that is repeatedly affirmed in numerous ahaadith.

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said:
“An Umrah to another Umrah will be redemption of sins for whatever (minor) occurs between them.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)[1]

As Muslims, we are consistently encouraged to uphold truthfulness and honesty in all aspects of life. Therefore, if one enters the Mataf area with the intention of performing nafl tawaf while being fully aware that the regulations have changed and access is now restricted to those in a state of Ihram, [2] this would constitute deception and dishonesty.

Many places in hadith mention avoiding deception and cheating:
“Do not feel envy against one another; do not nurse enmity; do not spy on one another and do not cheat one another. Be Allah’s slaves, brethren to one another.”[3]

It is essential to remember that significant financial resources have been invested in the hope of spiritual rejuvenation. Engaging in deceitful actions contradicts the very essence of this journey, undermining the purpose of seeking forgiveness and expiation of sins.

Therefore, it would not be recommended that you perform the nafl tawaf in the mataf area.

I hope that this answers the question.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by
Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Checked and approved by
Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] وعنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏العمرة إلى العمرة كفارة لما بينهما، والحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

Riyad as-Salihin 1275

[2] https://www.moi.gov.sa/wps/wcm/connect/9109879c-59e5-491e-a7e5-85ea7edbc5ca/Umrah+Guidance+EN.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-9109879c-59e5-491e-a7e5-85ea7edbc5ca-oVVEsHe

[3] وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏”‏لا تقاطعوا، ولا تدابروا، ولا تباغضوا ولا تحاسدوا، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانًا‏”‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏”‏لا تهاجروا ولا يبع بعضكم على بيع بعض‏”‏‏.

‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم بكل هذه الروايات، وروى البخاري أكثرها‏)‏‏)‏‏.

Riyad as-Salihin 1570