Ihram: Introduction And Significance

Ihram

Ihraam could be defined as a state of religious purity in which a pilgrim intending 'Umrah or Hajj puts on special garments at or before anyone of the five appointed boundaries (Meeqaats) and audibly makes the intention of performing Hajj or 'Umrah. One in such a state is called a Muhrim.

When the Hajj traveler reaches the Meeqaat, he is recommended to bathe and oil himself with scented perfume in the case of men and unscented perfume in the case of women, before putting on his or her Ihraam. 'Aa'eshah, wife of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), said: I used to put scented oils on the Messenger of Allah when making Ihraam, before he completed Ihraam and for his Hall (coming out of Ihraam) before he made Tawaaf of the House. Women are not allowed to use scented perfume in the presence of men whom they may marry in order to avoid undue attraction. If a woman is going to make 'Umrah and Hajj together and comes on her menses at the Meeqaat, she should bathe and make Ihraam for Hajj. This ruling is based on the Prophet's ordering of 'Aa'eshah, who had made Ihraam for 'Umrah, to bathe and make Ihraam for Hajj. He also ordered Asmaa bint 'Umays, who had given birth at Dhul-Hulayfah (the Meeqaat) to sprinkle water on her dress and make Ihraam.

It is also recommended that moustache, finger and toe nails, under-arm hair and pubic hair be clipped or shaved so that one is not obliged to do so during the state of Ihraam. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had recommended that these areas be clipped regularly saying: The Fitrah (natural way) involves five: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, clipping the moustache, finger and toe nails, and plucking the hairs of the arm-pit. The Sahaabee Anas said: "The time period for clipping the moustache, clipping the nails, plucking the hair of the arm-pit and shaving the pubic region was no more than forty nights." As for the hair on the head, it was not the practice of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) or his wives to clip it when making Ihraam. In the case of the beard, shaving it or clipping it off was forbidden by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Ibn 'Umar reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Be different from the idolater: grow your beards fully and clip your moustaches. Abu Hurayrah also reported that Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Clip down the moustaches and let the beards grow, be contrary to the Zoroastrians (Parsees).

European colonization of Muslim lands and the minds of the people have caused them to imitate their colonial master's practice of shaving their beards and letting their moustaches grow fully.

The Ihraam garments for men consists of

(1) a Ridaa, a sheet of cloth over both shoulders. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) exposed his right shoulder only during the first three circuits of the Ka'bah,

(2) an Izaar, a sheet of cloth wrapped around the waist, and

(3) a pair of stitched or unstitched sandals or shoes which do not cover the ankles. There is no evidence for the prohibition of stitched sandals, slippers or shoes. The Ihraam (Ridaa and Izaar) should preferably be white, although any color is permissible. It should also be noted that the Ridaa and Izaar may have stitched seams or pockets as long as they are not cut and stitched in the form of a shirt and pants. These two garments may also be tied or pinned, and a belt may be worn to hold up the Izaar or to carry one's documents and money. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was reported to have said: You should make Ihraam with an Izaar, Ridaa and a pair of sandals. However, if such garments are not obtainable, ordinary clothes may be worn, based on the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) statement, Whoever cannot find an Izaar should wear pants and whoever can not find sandals can wear Khuffs (leather socks).

As for women, they are allowed to make Ihraam in any dress they wish which fulfills the Islamic conditions of public dress, regardless of the color. However, they should take care not to imitate the dress of men. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) informed us that Allah curses women who dress like men and men who dress like women. The practice of insisting on a white dress for female pilgrims has no basis in Islam and is considered a cursed innovation (Bida'h) if it is insisted upon. The dress must be loose, not see-through and the whole body and head should be completely covered by the dress and the head scarf, except for the face and hands up to the wrists. Children under puberty performing 'Umrah or Hajj are not required to wear Ihraam, however, there is no harm in having them do so.

The person making Hajj or 'Umrah should make a silent intention that he or she is entering the state of Ihraam for whichever rite is to be performed. This intention is also to be made aloud by saying Allahumma labbayk 'Umrah (O Allah, I hear your call and am coming with 'Umrah) or Allahumma labbayk Hajjaa (Oh Allah I hear your call and am coming with Hajj). This should be said preferably upon sitting down in one's transport, as this was the practice of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). This is the only religious rite wherein the intention is said aloud. As for saying one's intention aloud before Salaah or Tawaaf, such acts are contrary to the Sunnah (Prophet's practice) and as such are considered Bid'ah (a cursed innovation). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, The worst of things are innovations (in religious rites) and every Bid'ah misguides. If a pilgrim fears that he may not be able to complete his Hajj or 'Umrah due to illness or disability, it is recommended that he add the following conditional Du'aa to his intention: "فإن حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبسني" "Fa in habasanee haabis fa mahal-lee haythu habasanee" "But if I am prevented by an obstacle, my place is wherever I am held up."

If such a pilgrim is subsequently prevented from completing his Hajj, he may come out of Ihraam without any sin being on him. This principle is based on the Hadeeth of Dabaa'ah bint az-Zubayr in which she asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): "O messenger of Allah, verily, I want to perform Hajj but l am doubtful (about being able to complete it)." The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied: Make your Hajj but add the condition, 'Verily my place is wherever I am held up'.

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Hajj And Umrah Guides, Pilgrimage Essentials, Mecca & Medina Topics Links:

Advice To Pilgrims | A Step by step Hajj and 'Umrah | Adhkar (Pertaining to the remembrance of Allah) | A Lasting Word For Hajj And 'Umrah | An Account of the Miqat | An Account of visiting the Prophet's Mosque | Ayaam at-Tashreeq | Binding on the pilgrim to refrain from sins | Command about the Menstruating and similar women | Conditional Ihram | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day One | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Two | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Three | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Four | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Five | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Six | Day of Arafah | Day to Day Activities of Hajj | Dhabh | Duties of pilgrims at 'Arafah | Entering Mecca | Entering Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) and Tawaf | Errors Often Committed by Pilgrims | Etiquette of Ihram | Etiquette of Visiting the Prophet's (P.B.U.H) Grave | Farewell Pilgrimage of the Messenger of Allah | Farewell Tawaf | Farewell Tawaf is binding on everyone except the menstruating and women with post childbirth bleeding | Fixed time for Hajj | Fixed time for Hajj | Four Khutbahs in Hajj | Hajj in Pre-Islamic Times | Hajj of a woman | Hajj, Umrah & Ziyarah At a Glance | Halq or Qass | Halq or Qasr: Shaving or Clipping | Ihram | Ihram for youngsters | Ihram: Introduction And Significance | Innovations of `Arafah | Innovations Before Ihraam | Innovations of Hajj, `Umra and Visiting Madinah | Innovations of Ihraam and Talbiyyah, etc. | Innovations of Muzdalifah | Innovations of Sacrifice and Shaving the Head | Innovations of Sa'y Between Safaa and Marwah | Innovations of Stoning | Innovations of Tawaaf | Innovations of Visiting Madinat-ul-Munawwarah | Innovations of Visiting Bait-ul-Maqdis | Innovations: Various Innovations | Istilaam | Kinds of Ihram | Leaving Arafah to spend night in Al Muzdalefah | Many `Umrahs after Hajj is not encouraged by the Shari`ah | Maqaam Ibraaheem | Meeqaat | Merits of Hajj | Merits of 'Umrah | Minaa | Neglecting and delaying the throwing of pebbles | No Specific Supplication for Tawaf and Sa'y | Not allowed to shave the beard | Not obligatory to visit the Prophet's Mosque | Objective of Hajj - To seek the Divine Pleasure | Obligations during Hajj and Umrah | Performing Hajj on behalf of others | Permitted and Forbidden things in the State of Ihram | Pilgrim with Sacrificial Animal in the month of Hajj should intend Qiran (accompanied Hajj) and the one | Pillars of Hajj | Prayers at Arafah | Preparations for Hajj, Umrah and travelling to the holy lands | Preparing for Hajj or 'Umrah | Prerequisites and Sunnahs of valid Tawaf | Ramy | Reaching Miqat at a Time other than the Hajj Season | Regulations Concerning Hady (Sacrificial animals) | Restrictions of Ihram | Rites, obligations and Sunnahs of Umrah | Sa'y | Sa'y between Safa and Marwah | Sa'y and its rituals | Sacrificial animals | Shaving or clipping hair | Sunnah and allowed throwing | Sunnahs of Tawaf | Supplication at the beginning of the journey | Supplication on entering the Mosque | Supplications at Arafah | Supplications: Some All-Inclusive Supplications | Supplications: Some Supplications which may Be Recited At 'Arafat, at the Sacred Sites, and at Other Places of Supplication | Talbeeyah | Tawaaf | Tawaaf al-Ifaadah | Throwing Al Jemar | Throwing pebbles on behalf of other people | Types of Hajj | Umrah | Veiling and giving up the display of beauty is compulsory for women | Verdict on spending the night at Mina | Visitation of the Prophet's Mosque | Visiting Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi | Visiting Quba Mosque and Al-Baqi' cemetery | What a Pilgrim should do when he reaches the Miqat | What Is Required of the Pilgrims | What is allowed to a Muhrim | Where to pick the pebbles from and the number and size of pebbles | Woman's Hajj with Mahram, expenses of Hajj, taking husband's permission | Woman may enter into the Ihram in any dress | Wuqoof 'Arafaat | Wuqoof Muzdalifah | Zamzam