What is the ruling on whoever comes to Makkah for a reason other than Hajj, then he intends to perform Hajj?

Question :

What is the ruling on whoever comes to Makkah for some work or something important, then he gets the opportunity to perform Hajj? Does he assume Ihram from his place (in Makkah) or does he go out to the area outside the Sacred Area (i.e., outside the Haram area)?

Answer:

If he comes to Makkah and he does not intend to perform Hajj or 'Umrah, and he has only come for some need, like visiting a relative or visiting a sick person or business, and he has not intended Hajj or 'Umrah, then he decides to perform Hajj or 'Umrah, he assumes Ihram from his place for Hajj. It makes no difference if he is inside of Makkah or in the outskirts of Makkah. However, if he intends to perform 'Umrah, he must go out to the area outside of the Sacred Area, such as At-Tan'im or Al-Ji'ranah or some other place if he wants to perform 'Umrah. For verily, the Sunnah - rather it is Wajib (compulsory) - is that he goes outside of the Sacred Area as the Prophet ordered 'A'ishah to do when she wanted to perform 'Umrah. He ordered her to go out to At-Tan'im and he ordered her brother, 'Abdur-Rahman, to go out with her from the Sacred Area to the area outside of the sacred boundaries, meaning At- Tan'im or some other place. This is obligatory in reference to whoever wants to perform 'Umrah. However, in reference to whoever wants to perform Hajj, then he says the Talbiyyah from his place, regardless of whether it is inside the Sacred Area (the Haram) or outside the Sacred Area, as has been mentioned previously.

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