If a Hajj Pilgrim is prevented (from completing the Rites) after entering Ihram

Question

If a Muslim decides to perform Hajj and after entering Ihram he is unable to perform his Hajj, what is he required to do?

Answer

If someone is prevented from completing the Hajj, after having entered Ihram, due to sickness or something else, it is permissible to remove the Ihram after slaughtering a sacrificial animal and then shaving his head or cutting his hair. This is due to the Saying of Allah:

"And perform properly (i.e., all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)), the Hajj and 'Umrah (i.e., the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allah. But if you are prevented (from completing Hajj or 'Umrah), sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e., a sheep, a cow or a camel) such as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 196)

This is also because when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was prevented from entering Makkah on the day of
Al-Hudaibiyyah, he slaughtered his sacrificial animal, shaved his head and removed his Ihram, and he commanded his Companions to do the same.

However, if the person who is prevented said when he assumed Ihram: "If something prevents me, then my place of removing Ihram is wherever You (Allah) stop me," he removes his Ihram and nothing is due on him. He is not required to sacrifice an animal or anything else. This is due to what is confirmed in the two Sahihs from 'A'ishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) that Dhuba'ah bint Az-Zubair bin 'Abdul-Muttalib (Radhi Allahu Anha) said: "0 Messenger of Allah, verily, I want to perform Hajj but I am ill." So, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to her:

"Perform Hajj and set a condition (saying): “My place of removing Ihram is where You (Allah) stop me." (Al-Bukhari no. 5089 and Muslim no. 1207)


Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 4 Pages 263-264