Ihram is the sacred state you must enter to perform Umrah or Hajj. It involves specific purity, dressing, and behavioral guidelines, symbolizing your spiritual purity and detachment from worldly distractions.
Preparing for Ihram:
Ghusl (Ritual Bath): ๐ฟ Before entering Ihram, it is highly recommended to perform a full ritual bath (Ghusl) to cleanse your body. If Ghusl isn't possible, Wudu (ablution) is sufficient.
Personal Hygiene: ๐งผ Trim your nails, remove unwanted hair (e.g., armpit and pubic hair), and apply non-scented perfume to your body (not on the Ihram garments for men) before making your intention for Ihram. Applying perfume during Ihram is prohibited.
Entering the State of Ihram:
When & Where to Assume Ihram (Miqat): ๐ You must enter the state of Ihram before crossing a designated boundary known as a "Miqat." There are several Miqats surrounding Makkah. For air travelers, you will typically assume Ihram before your flight lands at Jeddah (for Makkah) or Madinah.
On the Plane: โ๏ธ Many pilgrims assume Ihram on the flight. Your airline will often announce when you're approaching the Miqat zone. It is advisable to perform Ghusl/Wudu at the airport before boarding, or at least perform Wudu on the plane.
At the Airport: If you have a layover or arrive early, you may assume Ihram at the airport before proceeding to Makkah.
Practical Instructions for Men's Ihram Garments: ๐งโโ๏ธ Men wear two seamless, unstitched pieces of white cloth:
Izar: A piece wrapped around your lower body, covering from the waist to the ankles.
Rida': A piece draped over your upper body, covering your shoulders.
Wearing Tips: Use a belt or safety pins to secure the Izar. During Tawaf, ensure your right shoulder remains uncovered (this is called Idtiba'). You should not wear underwear, socks, or any head covering (cap, turban) during Ihram. Sandals that expose the ankles are allowed.
Practical Instructions for Women's Ihram: ๐งโโ๏ธ Women do not have a specific garment for Ihram. You can wear any modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers your entire body, including your hair, except for your hands and face.
Wearing Tips: Ensure your clothing is not transparent or overly decorative. Your headscarf should cover your hair completely. It's permissible to wear socks and comfortable closed shoes. You are not allowed to wear a face veil (Niqab) or gloves during Ihram.
Making Your Intention (Niyyah) and Reciting Talbiyah: ๐ฃ๏ธ After wearing your Ihram garments and preparing, make your intention (Niyyah) for Umrah. This is a verbal or silent declaration from your heart.
Niyyah Example: "O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so make it easy for me and accept it from me." (ุงููููููู
ูู ุฅููููู ุฃูุฑููุฏู ุงููุนูู
ูุฑูุฉู ููููุณููุฑูููุง ููู ููุชูููุจููููููุง ู
ููููู)
Talbiyah: Immediately after making your intention, begin reciting the Talbiyah aloud (for men) or softly (for women). You should recite this frequently throughout the state of Ihram until you begin Tawaf.
Talbiyah (Arabic): ููุจูููููู ุงููููููู
ูู ููุจููููููุ ููุจูููููู ูุงู ุดูุฑูููู ูููู ููุจููููููุ ุฅูููู ุงููุญูู
ูุฏู ููุงููููุนูู
ูุฉู ูููู ููุงููู
ููููู ูุงู ุดูุฑูููู ูููู
Transliteration: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk La Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal Hamda Wannimata Laka Wal Mulk La Shareeka Lak."
Translation: "Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner."
Things You Cannot Do During Ihram (Prohibitions): ๐ซ Once you are in the state of Ihram, certain actions are prohibited until you complete your Umrah rituals:
Using perfumes or any scented products (like soap, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, etc.).
Cutting hair or nails (anywhere on your body).
Shaving, trimming, or plucking any hair.
Covering your head (for men) or your face/hands (for women).
Wearing stitched clothing (for men).
Hunting land animals or assisting in hunting.
Engaging in marital relations or discussing them.
Getting married or proposing.
Cutting plants or trees within the Haram boundaries.
Picking up lost items (unless you intend to return them to authorities).
Quarrelling or fighting.
Violating these prohibitions may require a penalty (Damm) or repeating the ritual.