Hajj & Umrah

Taking care of one's sister in Madinah Munawwarah without performing Umrah

Q: I came to Madinah to my sister who went through a big hardship. She is emotionally in need of me, she can look after herself now physically after recovering Alhumdillah. I did not come with the intention of performing umrah and wish to spend all available time to help my sister (I believe this is also ibaadat).

Will it be a sin on me if I do not perform umrah before leaving? I have never visited Makkah before. I am mentally extremely worried for my sister. I had always wished and prayed for visiting the Ka'aba but I don't want it to be a half-hearted visit.

Tying one's ihraam in the plane

Q: I will be leaving for Umrah in a week. I will be landing in Jeddah, and I will have to be in the state of Ihram. I have a few questions regarding going into Ihraam. 

1. I will make the ghusul in South Africa that morning before I leave for Jeddah. Will it be valid if I go into Ihraam on the plane before landing in Jeddah?

If I go in to Ihraam on the plane must I make the the 2 rakaats of Sunnat Salaah on the plane.

2. As mentioned in question 1, if I go into Ihraam on the plane, must I proceed straight to perform Umrah or I may go to the Hotel?

3. As mentioned question 2, if I can go to the hotel and then perform Umrah, can I remove the Ihraam I was in and make ghusal and re-enter in to Ihraam?