Q. Someone went to pilgrimage with his pregnant wife. After performing the tawaf and the sa’ie, they proceeded to Mina on 8th Dhul-Hijjah. However, shortly after arriving there, the woman started to bleed. Fearing the worst, they gave money for sacrifice to a friend and went back. What compensation should they make?
Sharif
A. This is a case of being prevented from proceeding with the pilgrimage, by a physical impediment, an enemy or fear of some danger. Scholars base their verdict of what to be done on the Prophet’s action when he and his companions were prevented from reaching Makkah by the Quraysh, who were at the time very hostile to Islam. When agreement was made, stipulating that the Muslims could not enter Makkah that year, the Prophet ordered his companions to slaughter their sacrifice at the place they were in, Al-Hudaybiyah, release themselves from the state of consecration, and go back home.
When the woman started bleeding, it was reasonable for the couple to fear that she might have an abortion, or a delivery or some serious complication. In this case, she was right to go back and seek medical assistance. Offering a sacrifice in this case is the proper thing to do, but the couple needs to offer the pilgrimage as soon as they can, most preferably next year.
Wearing Lipstick
Q. Is it permissible for a woman to wear lipstick? Must we cover our hair in front of non-Muslims?
Sana
A. Islam requires women to appear as serious, respectable people when they go out. They go out to attend to their business, not to attract men and establish unlawful relations with them. The very concept of attractive appearance has been carried too far in some societies, to the extent that some women may spend an hour attending to their make-up before they go out. Unfortunately this takes place in certain sections of some Muslim societies. This is contrary to how Islam looks at social relations between men and women. A woman is not a cheap entity that places her attractions in front of all people, making her make-up and beauty her claim to respectability and social status. She is a human being who acquires her status by her qualities. Hence, her appearance should reflect such qualities. When she goes out, she dresses modestly, covering her head and body, with the exception of her face and hands. If she wears make-up, it should be of the simple, useful type, not the type that uses sharp colors. If you mean non-Muslim women, then you do not need to cover your hair in front of them, but if the question is about men, then you must cover your hair in front of those who are not your immediate relatives.