Does Touching the Ka’ba Whilst in Ihram Require a Penalty?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I recently went on Umrah with the family and whilst doing tawaf with ihram I touched the yemeni corner. I didn’t realise this corner has perfume on it and am unsure as to whether or not kaffara is due. 

Please could you advise me on what steps to take.

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, touching the Ka’ba requires a penalty due to it being perfumed. If you touched it with your entire palm then you would have to have a sheep sacrificed there. If it was just part of your palm you need go give some sadaqa in the range of about £5. 

Both, the sacrifice and the giving of charity would have to be done within the haram. Send the money for the sacrifice, or the sadaqa, with someone who goes there when the opportunity arises. (Qari, al Maslak al Mutaqassat; Maydani, al Lubab)

See it as a means of drawing closer to Allah through obeying His commands, and be confident that you left perfumed by the generosity of Allah, and through the following of the sunna of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace.

Allah said, regarding the animals sacrificed for His sake during the Hajj, ”Their flesh and blood does not reach Allah, but the Godfearingness from you reaches Him.” (Quran, 22:37) Be confident is the reward Allah will honour you with. 

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.