Ihram is not just a piece of clothing, it is a state with a set of restrictions. You must be in the state of Ihram to perform Umrah as it is Fardh. There’s no Umrah or Hajj without Ihraam.
Both men and women have different Ihraam.
How To Wear Umrah Ihram For Men
Men’s Umrah Ihraam consists of two white unstitched pieces of cloth. You wear one cloth on your abdomen and the other on the upper body.
Since most of us aren’t used to wearing such clothes, make sure you wear it tight enough so it doesn’t fall down.
There’s no fixed way to wear the Ihraam, but I found the following method the most effective. It is not only comfortable but also ensures that your Ihraam doesn’t fall off or reveal your body.
I prefer the method demonstrated at 2 min 30 seconds in the video below.
What Is Ihram For Women?
Ihram clothing for women is much simpler.
They don’t have to wear any unstitched pieces of clothing.
Instead, their dress becomes their Umrah ihram. However, the dress should be modest and loose and must not reveal any part of the body except for the face and hands. Plus, the headscarf should be thick and tight enough to ensure no hair is visible through it or comes out of it.
So, I’d suggest women get a loose white or black gown (abaya) to use as Ihram. But that’s optional.
As long as your dress fulfills the conditions mentioned above, your Ihram will be valid.
Because as I said, Ihram is a state with a set of rules, not just a piece of cloth.
Important Advice: When wearing Ihram, apply some petroleum jelly or any greasy cream on the insides of your thighs and underarms. You’ll have to walk a lot in Ihram, and most people get skin rashes because of excessive sweating, which makes it very painful to walk. Applying petroleum jelly will protect you from this.
Important: Ihram Rules For Ladies And Gents | Prohibited Things And Limits
You do not become a Muhrim (one with the restrictions of ihram) just by wearing your ihram clothing.
You must also make Ihram niyat and read Talbiyah to get into the state of Ihram.
However, before that, you must carefully understand the do’s and don’t of Ihram and remember the restrictions and limits. Violating these limits intentionally can invalidate your Umrah and result in a Dam (sacrificing a goat to make up for the mistake).
Here are the main limits and restrictions in the state of Ihram for both men and women.
- Both men and women should not cover their faces with any cloth in the state of Ihram.
- However, women must still practice pardah (hijab) from Na Mahram (men they can legally marry in the Shariah at any stage of their lives). So, to observe pardah, women can wear a shaded cap and put a cloth over it so that it doesn’t touch their faces.
- Men cannot cover their heads, either.
- Men cannot wear clothing stitched to their body structure.
- Men cannot wear slippers or shoes that cover the upper part of their feet.
- Both men and women cannot wear perfume or use perfumed soap.
- A Muhrim (a person in ihram) cannot trim or cut their hair or nails.
- They cannot kill insects or even lice in their hair.
- Married couples cannot have intimate relations in Ihram.
- No kissing, hugging.
- No romantic talk or intimate discussions either.
- No fighting or arguing with anyone.
- Committing any major or minor sins is strictly prohibited. They’re not allowed even outside the state of Ihram, but Ihram increases the intensity of the prohibition.
Apart from the things listed above, the following things are Makrooh or disliked during Ihram. However, they do not invalidate your Ihram or make any Dam wajib.
- Eating perfumed bubble gums or any other food that leaves a scent in your mouth.
- Combing and brushing hair.
- Wiping your face with a cloth.
Things You’re Allowed To Do In Ihram
- Taking a bath to get refreshed without using perfumed soap or shampoo.
- Using miswak to clean your teeth.
- Killing harmful animals or insects if avoiding them isn’t possible.
- Putting a bandage on a wound