During the Tawaf a woman lost her Mahram and sat on the ground

Q 1: My aunt is about fifty or sixty years old and she enjoys good health. In 1412 A.H., she performed `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), and during the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah), she lost her Mahram (spouse or permanently unmarriageable relative) and sat on the ground. Then, a kind man came and asked her what was wrong with her. She told him the story and he helped her complete the Tawaf, but she did not perform Sa`y (going between Al-Safa and Al-Marawah during Hajj and `Umrah). Then, in 1415 A.H., she performed another `Umrah. Is she to blame for what she did?

A: If what you mentioned is true, the Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) of this woman in the second `Umrah is not valid, as she had already been in Ihram since the first `Umrah. So, her Sa`y (Part No. 10; Page No. 360) and shortening of hair in the second `Umrah is complementary to the first `Umrah and her Tawaf in the second `Umrah would be counted as Tawaf-ul-Qudum (circumambulation of the Ka`bah on arrival in Makkah). She does not have to do anything else, provided that she did not have sexual intercourse between the Ihrams of the two `Umrahs. If she had sexual intercourse between the two `Umrahs, the first `Umrah is invalid and the second `Umrah will be complementary to the first invalid `Umrah. She had to enter Ihram from the Miqat (site for entering the ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) where she entered Iharm for the first `Umrah, to make up for the first `Umrah that was invalidated by having sexual intercourse. She has to slaughter a sheep meeting the same conditions for Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims) in Makkah, and distribute the meat among the poor, as a Fidyah (ransom) for having sexual intercourse in the state of Ihram. She should also repent to Allah (Exalted be He) for what she did.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.