What is Ihram for Men and Women in Hajj & Umrah?

Ihram is a specific state that every male and female pilgrim must have to enter by assuming a special dress code for performing Hajj and Umrah. Every pilgrim must have to assume ihram at one of the miqat points provided in their Umrah packages. Ihram is different for both male and female pilgrims. It is described clearly in details below.

Ihram for Men

Men pilgrims wear two white unstitched sheets to cover their body in the state of ihram. One sheet is used to cover the lower part of the body and the second sheet is used to cover the upper part of the body. The lower sheet is called “Izar’ and the upper sheet is called ‘Rida’.

Pilgrimage shows unity among the Muslims from all over the world. There is no difference of race, wealth, colour, etc. in front of Allah Almighty. Everyone is equal in front of Allah Almighty. Equality is shown during the pilgrim in Makkah.

Ihram for Women

Women don’t need to cover their body in the way as men do. They can assume ihram in their regular clothes. It should be clean and modest that doesn’t create a vivid image of their body. An abaya should be used within the clothing. Women can’t cover their face and hands within the Masjid-al-Haram.

There are some points that are fixed for assuming ihram for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. These points are known as ‘Miqats’. Every pilgrim must have to enter in the state of ihram at a miqat point that suits best according to their journey. Once the Prophet (PBUH) said,

“One should not pass the Miqat unless he/she is in the state of Ihram.” (Bukhari)

Prerequisites of Assuming Ihram for Hajj & Umrah

•  Combing your hairs

• Cutting nails of hands and feet

• Removing unwanted hairs of the body

• Shaving beard (for men)

• Trimming moustache (for men)

• Taking a cleansing bath also called ‘Ghusl’. If you don’t have enough water to perform a ghusl and you are not in an impure condition then you can just perform wudhu.

•             Making an intention of assuming ihram by reciting ‘Talbiyah’.

Prohibitions during the State of Ihram

•  Men can’t cover their head

• Women can’t cover their face

• You can’t apply perfume to your clothing

• Men can’t cover their ankles

• Hunting animals

• Having sexual relation for both husband and wife

In the Holy Quran, it is said that “So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein, then he shouldn’t have sexual relations, not commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj.” (Surah Al-Baqarah; 2:197)

On another point, it is said that “O you who believe! Kill not the game (hunted animals) while you are in a state of Ihram.” (Surah Al-Maidah; 5:95)

In order to perform Umrah, you should assume ihram and perform all the rituals in a way that is prescribed in our Islamic teachings. You should follow all the rules to make your Hajj and Umrah acceptable and earn great rewards from Allah Almighty.