Ihram is an Arabic word that literally means “to make something forbidden.” The act of donning the Ihram marks the beginning of the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. If a person does not wear the Ihram and begins reciting the Talbiyah, they do not enter the state of Hajj or Umrah. Entering the state of Hajj or Umrah requires the wearing of the Ihram. A person in the state of Ihram is called a Muhrim, which means someone who has prohibited certain things for themselves. In other words, someone in the state of Ihram is subject to certain prohibitions, even if those things are ordinarily lawful. Below, we will discuss these matters in detail. For men, the two white garments they wear are known as the Ihram.
Before Wearing Ihram
Before putting on the Ihram, it is necessary to ensure physical cleanliness and maintain purity.
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that there are five things to do before donning the Ihram: circumcision, removing unwanted body hair, trimming the mustache, cutting the nails, and removing the hair from the armpits.
Afterward, one should take a bath. Every Muslim, male or female, who intends to perform Hajj or Umrah is recommended to bathe. Once they achieve a state of physical purity, they should then enter into Ihram.
Niyyah (Intention)
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Innamal A’malu Binniyat, Wa Innama Likulli Imri’in Ma Nawa.”
“Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will receive what they intended.” Therefore, beginning Hajj with the intention is called Ihram. Without the intention of Ihram, the Hajj is invalid.
When you approach the Miqat and are about to wear the Ihram, you must make the intention just before wearing it. The intention should be made in the heart, but it is also recommended (mustahabb) to say it aloud in Arabic or your native language.
When you make the intention to enter Ihram, it is Sunnah to specify whether you are performing Hajj or Umrah. For instance, if you are performing Hajj, you should indicate what type of Hajj it is.
Examples of Intentions in Arabic:
Intention for Umrah
If you are performing Umrah or Umrah as part of Hajj al-Tamattu, the intention is:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka Llāhumma ʿUmrah. “O Allah, I am here for Umrah.”
Intention for Hajj
If you are performing Hajj al-Tamattu (Umrah followed by Hajj) or Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj only), the intention is:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا
Labbayka Llāhumma Ḥajj. “O Allah, I am here for Hajj.”
Intention for Umrah and Hajj Together
If you are performing Hajj al-Qiran (Umrah and Hajj together), the intention is:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً وَ حَجًّا
Labbayka Llāhumma ʿUmratan wa Ḥajj. “O Allah, I am here for Umrah and Hajj.”
Adding a Condition to the Intention (Ishtirat)
If you think there might be some reason, such as illness, that may prevent you from completing your Hajj or Umrah, you can add this condition to your intention:
اللّٰهُمَّ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي
Allāhumma maḥilli ḥaythu ḥabastani
“O Allah, I will exit Ihram wherever You prevent me.”
This is based on a Hadith of Aisha (RA).
Changing Intention
Once you enter Ihram with a specific intention, it cannot be changed to another type of Hajj. For example, if you intend to perform Hajj al-Ifrad, you cannot later switch to Hajj al-Tamattu or combine Hajj and Umrah.
However, you can change your intention before entering Ihram. For instance, if you initially intend to perform Hajj al-Qiran at home or on the way, you can change it to Hajj al-Tamattu when you reach the Miqat. This is permissible.
Intention on Behalf of Others
Hajj al-Badal, or Umrah al-Badal, is performing Hajj or Umrah on behalf of someone else who cannot do it due to a valid reason such as illness. If you are performing Hajj on behalf of another person, such as your parent, the intention will be:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا عَنْ ……. بِنْ/بِنْت
Labbayka Llāhumma ḥajjan ʿan …bin/bint ………..
“O Allah, I am here for Hajj on behalf of … (name) …, son/daughter of … (name) ….”
When to Wear Ihram
Ihram must be worn before crossing the Miqat, which are designated boundary points. If someone crosses the Miqat without wearing the Ihram, they must return to the Miqat to don it. If returning to the Miqat is not possible, they must offer an animal sacrifice as a penalty. There are five designated Miqat locations. These points must not be crossed without wearing Ihram.
For more details about these five Miqat points, refer to this article:
https://travelinmakkah.com/miqat-of-hajj-and-umrah/
If someone mistakenly crosses the Miqat without wearing the Ihram, they must return to the Miqat to don it. If returning is not possible, they must offer an animal sacrifice. It is essential to complete all the required preparations for Ihram beforehand.
How to Wear Ihram
There are specific rules for wearing Ihram, and these differ for men and women. Below, we will discuss how men and women should wear Ihram.
Ihram for Men
Men’s Ihram clothing consists of two white sheets (Izar and Rida), which cover the lower and upper parts of the body. Men cannot wear any stitched clothing that conforms to the body’s shape, such as shirts, pants, or undergarments.
Important Considerations While Wearing Ihram
- Do not wear very thin clothing, as it may cause discomfort when sweating.
- Head coverings and undergarments are prohibited.
- Footwear should not cover the ankles or the upper part of the feet.
Ihram for Women
There are no specific clothing rules for women, and they can wear whatever they wish. However, the clothing must be modest and in accordance with Islamic guidelines. Any plain fabric can be used to cover the head. Designed or stylish abayas or khimars are not allowed. A single-colored abaya or khimar should be worn. It is best if it is black. Socks may be worn, but the hands and face must remain uncovered.
Although covering the face is not allowed, it is permissible to use fabric that does not touch the face. Regarding this, there is a narration from Ayesha (RA):
We were with the Messenger ﷺ in Ihram. When a rider passed by us, we lowered our garment over our heads, and when he had gone, we uncovered our faces again.
[Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 2935; Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 1833.]
Ihram for Minors
A guardian can take their child for Umrah, but they must dress the child in Ihram garments if the child is of sufficient understanding (a minimum of seven years). After entering this state, the guardian is obliged to ensure the child avoids all prohibited acts. If the child unintentionally commits any prohibited act, there is no penalty. However, if they deliberately engage in prohibited acts, the guardian must offer fidyah on behalf of the child.
Disliked and Prohibited Actions during Ihram
During Ihram, there are some disliked and prohibited actions. If these actions are performed, fidyah must be offered as compensation. Below are these actions:
Disliked actions:
- Scrubbing the body to remove dirt.
- Washing with unscented soap.
- Combining the hair.
- Deliberately smelling fragrant scents.
- Using cosmetics.
- Sleeping face down.
- Smoking.
Prohibited actions:
The first category of prohibitions includes:
- Acts that are generally forbidden, such as using obscene language, arguing, or engaging in immoral behavior.
The second category includes:
- Acts that are usually permissible but are prohibited during Ihram, such as using perfume, wearing stitched clothing (for men), covering the head or face, cutting hair or nails, engaging in sexual intercourse, or engaging in sexual behavior like kissing or touching with desire.
Rules for Offering Fidyah
When Ihram prohibitions are violated, fidyah must be offered as compensation.
- Fidyah cannot be used to replace any obligatory act of Hajj intentionally.
- The penalty does not have to be paid immediately but should be completed as soon as possible.
- Fidyah must be completed before death.
- A healthy and suitable animal must be sacrificed within the Haram area.
- Another person may offer fidyah on your behalf with your permission.
- The meat from the sacrifice must be distributed to the needy. You cannot eat the meat yourself, nor distribute it to the wealthy.
After Donning Ihram
After donning Ihram, there are specific actions you must complete. Two significant actions are Nafl Salah and Talbiyah.
Salah Al-Ihram
After wearing Ihram, it is Sunnah to pray two Rak’ahs of Nafl Salah (Salah Al-Ihram).The phrase “after putting on ihram” means after wearing the prescribed clothes for ihram. Scholars of all four schools of thought agree that this should be performed before crossing Miqat. If it is not a prohibited time, two Rak’ahs of Nafl Salah should be offered after donning Ihram.
At this point, you are not yet in a spiritual state of Ihram, so you may cover your head during Salah.
It is Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun (Surah 109) in the first Rak’ah and Surah Al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) in the second Rak’ah. However, reciting other Surahs is permissible. After completing Salah, remove any headgear or other items that violate the rules of Ihram and prepare to make your intention for Ihram.
Women who are menstruating should not perform Salah. Instead, they should make their intention for Hajj or Umrah and recite Talbiyah. However, healthy women must perform Salah.
Talbiyah
After donning Ihram, you must recite the Talbiyah.
The Sunnah way to recite the Talbiyah is by pausing at four places, as follows:
لَبَّيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ –
Labbayka Llāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna l-ḥamda wa n-niʿmata, laka wa l-mulk, lā sharīka lak.
Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner; here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.
Men should recite the Talbiyah loudly, while women should recite it softly enough to hear themselves or the person next to them.
Pilgrims for Hajj should begin reciting Talbiyah after entering Ihram and continue until the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Yawm Al-Nahr (when the first stoning at Jamarat occurs).
Pilgrims for Umrah should begin reciting Talbiyah after entering Ihram and continue until the start of Tawaf Al-Umrah.
