Offering the Prayer of Ihram is not a Condition for its fulfillment

Question :

Is the Ihram of the Muslim for Hajj or 'Umrah fulfilled without him performing two Rak'ahs of prayer for Ihram? Also, is the vocal pronouncement of the intention a condition for the fulfillment of the Ihram?

Answer:

Performing prayer before Ihram is not a condition regarding the Ihram. That is only recommended according to most of the scholars. What is legislated for the person is that he intend in his heart what he wants of Hajj or 'Umrah, and he pronounces that by his saying: "O Allâh, I am here at Your service performing Umrah," or "O Allâh, I am here at Your service performing Hajj." Or he says them together if he wants to perform Hajjul-Qiran, as the Prophet and his Companions did. Pronouncing the intention is not a condition. Rather, the intention itself (in the heart) is sufficient. Then, he says the legislated Talbiyyah, which is: "I am here at Your service, O Allâh, I am here at Your service. I am here at Your service, You have no partner. I am here at Your service. Verily, all praise and favor belongs to You, as well as the sovereignty. You have no partner."

This is the Talbiyyah of the Prophet that has been confirmed from him in the two Sahihs and other books.

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