Ihram Guide for Hajj & Umrah
For countless Muslims globally, participating in hajj and umrah is a deep expression of belief and devotion to Allah. Key to this spiritual expedition is reaching a state of ihram, a holy state symbolizing cleanliness, fairness, and devoutness. The term originates from the Arabic word harama which signifies ‘to be prohibited’ it indicates the level of cleanliness required for pilgrims to undertake hajj, umrah, or both before they reach the boundary of Makkah.
Once the pilgrim has made the intention for ihram, they are required to follow its restrictions. A Muhrim is a person in the state of ihram who has imposed restrictions upon themselves. The ihram is another term for the clothing men wear in two pieces. However, some first time pilgrims may feel anxious and confused about how to correctly wear ihram. This guide seeks to simplify the process with clear instructions and visual aids in order to wear ihram correctly, allowing you to concentrate on the spiritual element of your pilgrimage.
Importance of ihram
Ihram is a condition of cleanliness, in both thoughts and physical state. Primarily, it is a mindset where one forms a spiritual bond with God and rejects the materialistic temptations of the world. Hajj is a ritual that promotes equality among all individuals as they are all seen as equal in the eyes of God, regardless of any differences in gender, faith, ethnicity, social status, or financial status. The two white, unstitched pieces of cloth known as ihram clothing eliminate all traces of social, cultural, and political distinctions in order to achieve equality before god.
How to prepare yourself for ihram?
Prior to donning the ihram state, it is important to understand the necessary steps to properly prepare oneself. Both men and women must wear a particular style of clothing called ihram. Applying any fragrances is prohibited as it will invalidate your ihram. If that happens, you must switch to a different outfit.
When you choose to do hajj and umrah, you must adhere to the steps of entering the ihram states. Rules for men and women differ during ihram. Before you start the ihram state, you need to follow some fundamental steps.
For women
Trim the nails and tidy up
Having a cleansing bath
Dressed in ihram attire
Perform the prayer
For man
Trimming the nails and shaving the beard
Trimming the facial hair
Engaging in a cleansing bath
Dressed in ihram garments
Perform the prayer
How to put ihram for the man
Many of us from western world find it challenging to know how to wear the ihram garments. Several inquiries will arise. How can I place it on? Is it going to come off? If you are accustomed to wearing a luni/izar/sarong, the cultural difference won’t be as drastic. However, for those of us who are not familiar with it, you will need to follow a few steps.
It is strongly advised to perform ghusl, trim any necessary body/Face hair and cut your nails before putting on ihram clothing. Next, you can proceed to wear the ihram garments.
Ihram guide for hajj and umrah when choosing fabric, belt and sanals:
Two white fabrics, you can purchase them online, from any Islamic store or even in Madinah, Saudi Arabia before heading to Makkah.
An ihram/money belt, you may choose to bring one with you (optional)
A set of open-toed sandals that leaves toes and the top of your feet exposed.
One white cloth will cover your upper half while the other will be for your lower body. The Rida is the term for the upper piece of clothing while the Izar refers to the lower piece. Wearing undergarments is not allowed in ihram, so we suggest using a dense, towel like fabric for both the top and bottom to maintain coverage and prevent transparency from sweat. Attempt to acquire an ihram garment that is sufficiently lengthy to allow for proper wrapping.
The prophet Muhammad (saw) said that Allah, the exalted and glorious, declared that, “glory is his lower garment and majesty is his upper garment and (Allah says) he who contends with me regarding them I shall torment him.”
11 Steps to Follow for Ihram
The procedure explained here is just one of several methods for wearing the ihram. This guide is a simple and direct method, perfect for beginners.
Step 1: position yourself with your legs wide apart. Fully wrapping the ihram will facilitate moving around and walking with them much easier
Step 2: position a white cloth (ideally a thick one) alongside your body, placing half in front of you and half behind you. Secure the fabric around your waist, pulling in your abdomen, until the two ends of the material align on the other side. It will be like folding the fabric in half, your body squished between the two layers.
Step 3: grip both edges of the fabric tightly at the intersection to ensure it is snugly fastened and around your body. The upper part of the fabric should extend well past your navel, while the lower part should not go beyond your knees
Step 4: grip pinched section tightly at your side, then bring the two halves forward and fold them together in front of you
Step 5: if the cloth is lengthy, you might have to fold it repeatedly in both directions. This will form a dense covering on the front of your lower half to guarantee modesty
Step 6: after wrapping the Ihram around your lower body, make sure it is securely fastened to prevent it from slipping off. Pulling in your abdomen, grab the upper edge of the fabric and start rolling and tucking it downward. After folding your paper tightly a few times, you can then relax your stomach and keep on rolling. Make sure to keep your navel covered. The lower part of your body should be securely covered by the ihram garment, it should be remain in place even if you pull at it
Step 7: to increase security, you can wear an ihram belt or money belt around your waist. One way to achieve this is to put on the belt when you reach the midpoint of step 6, then finish the step by rolling the rest of the cloth over the belt.
Step 8: at this point, your lower half should be clothed. It’s time to move on to the top part now. Grab the second fabric and keep it positioned at the back of your body
Step 9: place the edges of the both cloth on each shoulder to allow the fabric to lay on your body freely without the need to support it with your hands. Make sure the longer side is on the right and hangs lower in front of you then the left side. This is because one side of the cloth will need to be longer in order to wrap it around the body.
Step 10: take the longer edge of the fabric and wrap it across your body, then draping it over your left shoulder to cover your chest. To avoid dropping it, you can loop it behind your back and then place it back over you right shoulder
Step 11: requires you to uncover your right shoulder, referred to as idtiba’a, while performing tawaf in Hajj or Umrah. Instead of draping both sides of the cloth over your shoulders in step 9, only drape the left side over your left shoulder, then bring the right side in front of you, under your right arm, and toss it over your left shoulder.
Next, proceed to perform two voluntary rakahs in prayer. It is advised to recite Surah al-kafirun in the first rakah and surah al-iklas in the second rakah. After that you can make an intention to perform hajj or umrah.
Ihram guide for women
The restrictions placed on women wearing ihram are not as strict as those for men. You can wear your hijab and abaya in the usual manner, ensuring that the whole body is covered, without any particular color restrictions. Nevertheless, it is advisable to opt for something basic and unembellished. White or black clothing could be ideal. Females can opt to wear standard socks and shoes that provide coverage for their feet as well
During ihram, there are certain limitations that must be observed if you typically veil your face. You are not allowed to use any cloth that touches your face to cover it. Nevertheless, there are unique caps available that can be worn with fabric draping from them.
When do you put ihram on?
The ihram should be worn upon reaching the Miqat points which indicate the starting point of ihram.
When arriving in Jeddah and heading straight to Makkah for hajj or umrah, remember to don your ihram before reaching Jeddah airport as it is part of the miqat. A notification will be given on the aircraft approximately one hour prior to arrival. Many individual choose to wear the ihram either before boarding their flight or while waiting during a layover.
It might be convenient to visit Madinah first before going to Makkah for the religious rituals. After departing Madinah, you have the option to don your ihram when arriving at the Dhul-Hulaifah miqat point.
The chance to go on hajj during one’s lifetime is a gift for a devout Muslim. Even though hajj is the primary pilgrimage, umrah is a minor pilgrimage. However, this does not indicate that umrah is less significant. Therefore, wearing ihram is equally essential in both circumstances as it is a component of your spiritual pilgrimage.
You are unable to do either without being in this state of purifying the soul. If you intend to do hajj or umrah soon, ensure you adhere to all the necessary steps and regulations.
