Ihsar (Obstruction)

Ihsar means obstruction. It is a situation in which one is obstructed some way to perform Hajj or Umrah after one has entered the state of Ihram. The person who faces this situation is called a Muhsar. The Qur’an says:

"When you make up your mind to perform Hajj or Umrah, accomplish these to please Allah. But if you are hemmed in somewhere, then offer to Allah whatever sacrifice you can afford. And do not shave your heads until the sacrifice reaches its place." (Surah al-Baqrah, 2: 196)

A Few Examples of Ihsar

There can be many situations in which performance of Hajj or Umrah is not possible, a few are mentioned as follows:-

The roads are not safe, war is going on, or there is some other kind of danger to life and property.

Attack of a disease that may escalate during travel or one is so weak that travel is not possible.

After entering into Ihram, a woman is unable to go along with a mahram male. He either gets sick, or dies or refuses to go or somebody stops him to go.

There is not enough travel money or the money is stolen.

Lost on the way and there is nobody to guide.

After entering into Ihram, a woman is divorced or her husband dies and her waiting period (Iddah) starts.

A woman enters into Ihram without her husband’s permission and fails to get permission even afterwards.

Rules For Ihsar

In case of Ihsar, send to Mecca a sacrificial animal, such as a camel, a cow or a goat, etc., according to your means or send its price so that a sacrifice can be arranged there on your behalf.

The sacrifice for Ihsar is obligatory (wajib) and unless the sacrifice is offered in the Haram on behalf of the Muhsar, he cannot put off Ihram. He may fix a date for the sacrifice so that he can come out of Ihram that day.

The Muhsar has to send one sacrificial animal if obstructed from performing Umrah or Hajj al-Ifrad and he has to send two animals in case of Hajj al-Tamat’u or Hajj al-Qiran.

As long as the sacrifice is not offered, the Muhsar will remain in the state of Ihram and all the obligations of Ihram will apply.

As you are aware that you come out of Ihram when you shave or cut some of your hair after performing Hajj or Umrah, but a Muhsar can come out of Ihram only when an animal is sacrificed on his behalf in the Haram.

The Muhsar is not allowed to eat the flesh of the animal sacrificed on his behalf in the Haram.

If the Ihram had to be removed by sending a sacrificial animal, it becomes obligatory (wajib) to perform Hajj or Umrah later for which this Ihram was put on.

If after sending the sacrificial animal, the cause of Ihsar (obstrucion) is removed and there is still time for the Muhsar to perform Hajj and offer the sacrifice himself, he must proceed forthwith. But if the time for Hajj is over, he can perform Umrah and come out of Ihram after shaving or clipping the hair.