Islamic Wisdom: Islamic Clothing “Ihram” |Pilgrim’s Dress for Hajj

Ihram is A white Islamic clothing that all pilgrims wear during the pilgrimage! The beauty of this is everyone wears the same thing, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, annual income, etc.! We are all one human race!

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Hello, readers and followers, welcome back to my new story. today’s story is part of two different series one is “Hajj — The Five Fundaments pillar” and the second is “Islamic Clothing” and I will share some amazing facts and information about it. I know there are millions of people who are interested to know about Islam clothing and also, unfortunately, there are some misconceptions about Islamic clothing.

Clothing is referred to as those items which people wear to cover themselves. As with many things in life, clothes have become more purposeful than just cover. The purpose of clothing is different for different religions and people.

The purpose of Islamic dresses is modesty. Islamic clothing is clothing that is interpreted as being in accordance with the teachings of Islam

For both genders, dressing oneself with modesty is important, and that modesty includes not showing off one’s finery as well as not calling the attention of others to one’s own beauty or lack thereof.

The sacred act of Hajj is a pillar of Islam and is an obligation that should be completed at least once in all able Muslim’s lives. It is a physically demanding journey that Muslims believe offers a chance to wipe clean past sins and start anew before God and motivates Muslims to do good deeds by polishing their consciences and enhancing their moral senses.

pilgrimage requires the pilgrim to give up all the worldly pleasures and surrender to Allah. It is the first step towards the journey of purifying the soul of the sins committed in the past.

Muslims retrace the route followed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and prophets Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) before him, as well as the path that the wife of Ibrahim (AS), Hagar, ran seven times between two hills as she sought water for her dying son. In Islamic belief, Allah (SWT) created a spring that continues to run to this very day.

It plays a vital role in rebuilding the foundation of purity, honesty, and integrity in the heart of every individual, encouraging a righteous and positive Muslim society.

Read more about Hajj here:

The Importance of Ihram:

While planning the pilgrimage, one must understand its cultural values and virtues. For a Muslim both man and woman to successfully perform Umrah or Hajj, certain rituals must be followed. One of these rituals is to enter Ihram and without Ihram, you are not able to perform Umrah or Hajj.

In the Islamic culture, Ihram is one of the most important and initial stages of Umrah.

All Muslims are wearing a white cloth to represent purity; as to let the pilgrims know they are all the same; no different from rich or poor white or black. The clothes worn by the men are the most unadorned and simple, with nothing about it to distinguish the social or economic status of the wearer.

Like the grave, it is the great leveler. Focus is on the soul and its ibadah. And it has been noted by many that it is almost identical to what the janaza wears when being lowered into the grave.

It has many definitions. but whoever performed hajj knows it’s so satisfying and has a preferable meaning all around!

Our pilgrimage to Makkah is to increase our spiritual connection and depth of understanding about the futile affairs of this life. An Ihram is the most suitable dress code for this purpose. It is also weather-friendly and conveniently informal.

Ihram is a sacred state that Muslims enter and remain in during the special rituals and events that are required to complete Hajj or Umrah. The state is entered by following certain cleansing rituals and wearing the correct dress.

The word ihram is used for three meanings, First, the two pieces of cloth worn by male pilgrims. Second, The very act of starting Hajj or `Umrah by making the intention that one is now starting Hajj or `Umrah and saying the Talbiyah. and third, the state of consecration in which the pilgrims are during Hajj or `Umrah. After putting on ihram (first meaning) and making the intention of ihram (second meaning), the pilgrims automatically enter the state of ihram, which requires them to avoid certain things. Below are more details on ihram in its three senses.

Ihram is a state of purity, both in mind and body. It is foremost a state of mind, whereby a spiritual relationship with God is established and the vanities of the world are renounced. Hajj is an egalitarian rite in the sense that all of humanity, irrespective of gender, sect, ethnic origin, rank, or wealth, is equal before God. The Ihram attire, two pieces of white, unstitched cloth, removes all semblance of social, cultural, and political differences for the sake of equality before God.

Ihram is also used to refer to the ceremonial clothing that has been chosen with the purpose of completing Hajj and must be worn by all men and women. Ihram and Hajj are a time of total equality, Ihram clothing removes all societal representations of wealth or social differences and ensures that both men and women renounce the temptations of vanity and the world.

A guardian can choose to take their children to Umrah, and they must dress them in Ihram clothing. If they are under the age of discernment (7 years old) their guardian must make the intention for Umrah on their behalf. It is also obligatory for the child’s guardian to keep them away from everything forbidden once they have entered the state of Ihram.

Ihram is composed of two, (preferably), white sheets. Not Stitched and not adorned with any marks. These sheets represent the shroud that is used to cover dead bodies after death.

The Ihram clothing worn by men and women does have some distinct differences. The rituals are different for men and women but the purpose remains the same to avoid attention and be the same in front of the Almighty. It is an item of clothing that has restrictions for both men and women. Wearing Ihram reminds the pilgrim to be humble. Neither the trip nor the prayers are complete without Ihram.

While both outfits use two sheets of unstitched white cloth, part of the man’s body remains exposed whereas a woman’s Ihram clothing must conceal the whole body, leaving only her face and hands uncovered.

Ihram For Women During the pilgrimage:

Ihram for pilgrimage for women has been addressed in Islam in quite a detail. The Ihram for ladies during the pilgrimage is different from men. Before entering the state of Ihram, pilgrims bathe, perform a cleansing ritual, and pronounce their intention to start the Umrah or Hajj. After attaining Ihram, the devotee is called a Muhrim.

Ihram for pilgrimage for women has no mention of specific garments. There is no guide on how to wear Ihram for Umrah for ladies. Also, there are no restrictions on women regarding unstitched or stitched clothing.

Generally, women follow the basic dressing code that Islamic culture prefers, which includes:

• Women must wear light-colored clothes that keep them comfortable.
• The Ihram for women must be thick and plain, so none of the body parts is revealed during the prayer.
• If women wear white Abayas (a full-length outer garment worn by some Muslim women), then the underclothing must also be white as colored underclothes may shine from beneath.
• Women can also wear black clothes. There is no compulsion for them to wear white, however, many prefer to wear it. It makes everyone appear the same in front of Allah. Also, white helps to keep the body cool when one is praying under the scorching sun.
• Women are also advised to wear a Hijab, which is large enough to cover their entire body. It is a sign that they have respect in the world of men, and it keeps them secure from the evil eyes of lust.
• After completion of the pilgrimage, there is a ritual called Taqsir, where women cut an inch of their hair.
• During the pilgrimage, women are not permitted to cover their face, and wearing anything that does cover the face is prohibited including Burqas and Niqabs.

Wearing Ihram:

Men’s Ihram clothing is strict; however, a woman can wear regular clothing where Ihram is unavailable. It is important that any clothing worn is chosen with the intention of entering Ihram and ensures it protects the wearer’s modesty. Outside of the clothing worn, there are certain rules that must also be abided by during Hajj or Umrah, for example;

Before entering the state of Ihram, you should get yourself into a state of physical cleanliness including taking care of your personal hygiene tasks at home. Once you have entered Ihram, shaving, clipping, and trimming are prohibited so taking care of this prior to your intention to begin Hajj is recommended.

When you are ready to enter Ihram, you must first perform Ghusl before dressing in your ceremonial clothing. Ghusl is the ritual cleansing that involves bathing the whole body and if for any reason, Ghusl cannot be carried out, Wudhu (ablution) must be performed in its place. The intention (Niyah) behind bathing for Hajj or Umrah must be clear.

Salah al-Ihram:

Once you have entered a state of physical purity, it is Sunnah to perform two Rakahs of Salah al-Ihram before making the intention to enter into the state of Ihram, by consensus of all four schools of law. This should be performed before the Miqat has been crossed. Provided it isn’t one of the prohibited times for prayer, observe the Salah with the intention of performing two Rakahs Nafl for Ihram.

If any other prayer is performed after changing into the Ihram attire and before pronouncing the intention, whether it is obligatory or Sunnah (such as the two Rakahs Salah for the greeting of the mosque), it will account for this prayer, even if there is no intention to do so.

Since you’re not in the spiritual state of Ihram yet, you may perform the Salah with your head covered. It is a Sunnah to recite Surah al-Kafirun (Qul Yā Ayyuha-l-Kāfirūn — Surah 109) in the first Rakah and Surah al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa-llāhu Ahad — Surah 112) in the second Rakah after Surah al-Fatiha, although any other Surah may be recited. Once you’ve finished, remove any headwear or anything else that may violate the rules of Ihram and get ready to make your intention.

Women in a state of menstruation should not perform the Salah, rather they should make their intention for Hajj or Umrah and recite the Talbiyah.

If you are flying as part of your Hajj, it is recommended to prepare for Ihram before getting on your final flight. Some Islamic airlines and airports have facilities available to get ready and make prayer if you have a stopping point on your journey, however, the closer you get to Miqat, the busier these facilities can become so make sure to plan ahead.

Al-Bukhari states that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said:

“One shouldn’t pass the Miqat unless he/she is in the state of Ihram.”

(Al-Bukhari)

Ihram Clothing Rules:

All Muslim men and women must follow certain rules of Ihram as they head to Makkah to perform Umrah or Hajj. As soon as you enter the state of Ihram, you won’t be allowed to perform the following actions:

• Men wearing stitched clothing.
• Men covering their head; women using niqabs to cover their face or wearing hand gloves.
• Cutting the nails, trimming or cutting the hair yourself, or getting a haircut from a professional.
• Using footwear that covers the ankles.
• Applying a perfume
• Using cosmetic items, including beauty or scented soaps (Taking a bath is permitted though)
• Hunting animals
• Engaging in sexual activity

Regardless of whether you wish to perform Umrah or Hajj, you must abide by the above-explained Ihram rules. Violating a single rule can result in a severe penalty such as Dam, which refers to the sacrifice of a goat or sheep. Penalties can vary depending on the number of rules you violate and whether it was committed by mistake or is a result of gross negligence. That’s why you’ll need to ask a lot of questions from Islamic scholars before heading to Umrah or Hajj as well as carry relevant guidance books with you.

Actions are Considered Permissible During Ihram:

There are a number of actions that can be carried out where necessary during Ihram that do not carry penalties, including:

• For men, use a safety pin to keep the top cloth worn for Ihram called the Rida, from falling open or slipping off constantly and they may use a waist pouch, money belt, or string to secure the lower garment, known as the Izar
• For both men and women, they may cover the body and feet while they are sleeping but must keep the head and face exposed
• For anyone to receive medical treatments including surgical procedures, extractions of blood, receiving injections, vaccinations, or wearing a plaster or bandage to support an injury
• For women, to wear a tampon or sanitary towel during menstruation or having the need to breastfeed
• Wearing anything that supports proper healthcare, for example, hearing aids, glasses, contact lenses, sunglasses, dentures, or braces
• Use an umbrella or sun blocking object for shade if it does not ever rest on the head or the face
• The slaughtering or killing of any animal that may cause harm or is required for domestic purposes, such as snakes, flies, and scorpions or cows, sheep, and poultry.
• It is permissible to change your Ihram clothing as many times as required, however, you should refrain from deliberately making your Ihram clothing dirty by wiping yourself or cleaning yourself.
• It is considered a permissible action of Ihram to have a bath or shower, however, you should not use any scented products. You may also gently wash your head or body, even if you are losing your hair. You should refrain from rubbing the skin or body to remove marks or dirt, combing your hair, or causing trauma to the body (through scratching) that causes the hair to fall out.

Actions are Considered prohibitions During Ihram:

Having started Hajj or `Umrah, you are now in the state of ihram. From now until you finish the `Umrah or until you are done with the major tasks of Hajj, you are supposed to abandon certain things (called mahzurat al-ihram) or the don’ts of the state of ihram. They are the following:

• Clipping nails and shaving hair from any part of the body.
• Using perfume in any way.
• Making foreplay, speaking lustful words, touching your spouse with desire, and having sexual intercourse.
• Contracting marriage.
• Hunting or eating game meat. Pilgrims are forbidden to hunt, help in hunting, or eat any land game prepared for their sake, at their suggestion, or with their help.
• For men, covering the head or wearing clothes sewn to fit the body’s limbs. So, wearing shirts, robes, trousers, turbans, hats, gloves, socks, etc. is prohibited.

Actions are Considered prohibitions for women During Ihram:

• There are restrictions from wearing a face veil or gloves to receiving blessings from the almighty.
• Women wearing Ihram clothing, or their own dress, should be modest and avoid exposing any part of their body but their face and hands
• Once in the state of Ihram, women must not comb or clip their hair to avoid hair fall.
• They must not wear any jewelry or glittery clothes and should refrain from using cosmetics, scented oils, and perfumes. This is to ensure that one connects with God directly without creating interruptions for other people or attracting attention to them. Also, they are restricted from chanting the Talbiyah loudly. They must recite the prayer softly such that people beside her (except her family member or mahram) cannot hear the voice and get distracted.
• They must plan the visit according to their menstruation cycles. Menstruating women or bleeding ladies after childbirth are forbidden to perform the ritual or wear Ihram.
• When in Ihram, women must maintain a safe distance from other men and must stay with their group or mahram. There is a separate space for women to perform the rituals. It keeps them away from unwanted interactions with men who are not their mahram.

Niyyah:

The Niyyah should be made at the Miqat or close to the Miqat as you move towards it. The intention must be made from the heart although it is also Mustahabb to utter the Niyyah verbally in Arabic or in your native language.

It is also recommended to stipulate the purpose of Ihram while making the intention, specifying whether it is for Hajj or Umrah. If you’re performing Hajj, you should also indicate the type of Hajj you intend to carry out.

Niyyah for Umrah:

This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Umrah during any time of the year, or Umrah as part of Hajj al-Tamattu. If you’re performing Hajj al-Tamattu, an intention for the Hajj will be made at a later stage.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً

Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan.

O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-‘umrata.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-‘umrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.

Niyyah for Hajj:

This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Hajj al-Tamattu (after Umrah has been completed) or Hajj al-Ifrad (only Hajj).

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا

Labbayka llāhumma ḥajjan.

O Allah, here I am to perform Hajj.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْحَجَّ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’ḥajja.

O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’ḥajja fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.

O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

Niyyah for Umrah and Hajj:

This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Hajj al-Qiran (Umrah and Hajj combined).

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً وَ حَجًّا

Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan wa ḥajjan.

O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah and Hajj.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَ الْحَجَّ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’umrata wa l-ḥajja.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah and Hajj.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُمَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُمَا مِنِّيْ

Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’umrata wa l-ḥajja fayassirhumā lī wa taqabbalhumā minnī.

O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah and Hajj, so make them easy for me and accept them from me.

Niyyah with a Stipulation (Ishtirat):

If you feel that something may potentially hinder the performance of your Hajj or Umrah, such as illness, you can add the following stipulation to your Niyyah:

اللَّهُمَّ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي

Allāhumma maḥilli ḥaithu ḥabastani.

O Allah, I will exit Ihram from the point You have prevented me.

This is based on the following narration by Aisha J:

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ entered upon Dubaa bint az-Zubair and asked her: ‘Do you have a desire to perform Hajj?’ She replied: ‘By Allah, I feel sick.’ He said to her: ‘Intend to perform Hajj and stipulate a condition by saying, “O Allah, I will exit Ihram from the point You have prevented me (i.e. I am unable to go further).” She was the wife of al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad.

The benefit here is that if circumstances prevent you from completing the rites of Hajj or Umrah or if you can’t enter Makkah for some reason, Fidyah won’t have to be paid in order to leave the state of Ihram. However, you must still have your hair cut to exit Ihram.

Changing Niyyah:

Once you have entered into Ihram with a specific Niyyah, you can’t change that intention to perform another type of Hajj. For example, if you’ve made the intention to perform Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj alone), you may not change it to perform Umrah and Hajj al-Tamattu later.

However, it is permitted to change your intention before entering into the state of Ihram. For example, you may have had the intention of performing Hajj al-Qiran (Hajj and Umrah together) at home or during your journey but you make the intention of performing Hajj al-Tamattu at the point of entering Ihram. This is perfectly legitimate.

Make sure you think carefully about the type of Hajj you want to perform prior to making your intention. Keep in mind that Hajj al-Tamattu is the easiest and most common type of Hajj.

Niyyah for Others:

Hajj al-Badal is the act of performing Hajj or Umrah on behalf of someone else who cannot perform Hajj due to illness/incapacity or some other legitimate reason.

If you are performing Hajj on behalf of someone else, such as your mother or your father, the Niyyah would be as follows:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا عَنْ ……. بِنْ / بِنْت

Labbayka llāhumma ḥajjan ‘an ……….. bin / bint ………..

O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj for ……….. son/daughter of ………..

The intention must be made solely for that individual and nobody else.

If you want to pass on the reward to several people, you may do so with the performance of a Nafl Hajj or Umrah.

Talbiyah:

After making your intention, recite the Talbiyah.

Words of the Talbiyah

The Sunnah method of reciting the Talbiyah is to briefly pause at four places, indicated by the dashes. The words are as follows:

لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ — لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ — إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ — لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ –

Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.

At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.

Manner of Reciting the Talbiyah

Men should recite the Talbiyah audibly, whereas women should recite it softly to the extent that it is loud enough to be heard by herself or someone next to her. It is Mustahabb to send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ and to supplicate after reciting the Talbiyah.

When to Recite Talbiyah

The Talbiyah should be recited as much as possible throughout Hajj and Umrah, whether you’re standing or sitting, in a vehicle or walking, whether you’re with or without Wudhu and in the case of women, whether you’re in a state of menstruation or not.

Timings of Talbiyah

Hajj pilgrims should start uttering the Talbiyah after Ihram is assumed and continue with its recital up until the first pebble is thrown at Jamrat al-Aqaba on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Yawm al-Nahr.

Umrah pilgrims should start reciting the Talbiyah after Ihram is assumed and continue up until the Hajar al-Aswad is kissed, touched or saluted at the beginning of Tawaf al-Umrah.

Virtues of the Talbiyah

Jabir ibn Abdullah I narrates:

There is no Muhrim who exposes himself to the sun all day for the sake of Allah, reciting the Talbiyah until the sun goes down, but his sins will disappear and he will be as he was on the day his mother bore him.

Sahl bin Sa’d I narrates:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘There is no Muslim who says the Talbiyah except that — on his right and left, until the end of the land, from here to there — the rocks, or trees, or mud say the Talbiyah.’

After the Talbiyah

Once the intention has been made and the Talbiyah has been uttered, you will have entered the sacred state of Ihram. A pilgrim in the state of Ihram is known as a Muhrim. As a Muhrim, you must be aware of the prohibitions of Ihram. You must also be conscious and mindful of God on all occasions, exercise patience and exhibit good character.

Final Thoughts:

The footnote of this story is that Ihram is a type of uniform worn by pilgrims when proceeding to the lesser pilgrimage (Umrah) and the greater pilgrimage (Hajj). Ihram is a divine state that Muslim men and women enter to perform the rituals of Umrah or Hajj. Chosen as ceremonial clothing for Hajj, Ihram must be worn by every individual heading to Makkah for either of the lesser or greater pilgrimages. A pilgrim enters the state by performing some cleansing acts and wearing a dress.

Wearing Ihram helps establish complete equality among the pilgrims. On one hand, the act eliminates the differences related to wealth and societal status and on the other hand, it renounces the temptations of self-admiration among the pilgrims. Because of the simplicity and uniformity of Ihram, one cannot tell who is rich and who is poor.

Plus, when pilgrims lose the temptations of vanity, they become more concerned about achieving a sound heart, which is more important in the eyes of Allah than beautifying oneself.

By now, you should have not only understood what is Ihram but also grasped the rules of Ihram. I hope that this story helps you abide by the do’s and don’ts of Ihram.

In the case you have complicated queries, get in touch with an authentic Islamic scholar before proceeding on the spiritual journey.

I wish you good travels and hope that you don’t need to face penalties for committing any mistakes while performing Hajj or Umrah.

May Allah give us the strength, the power, the courage, and the effort to do our best to obey Allah and follow His teachings. May Allah guide us and strengthen our Iman. We pray that Allah helps us live another year with sincerity and devotion.

May Allah make us realize that one year of our life is over and we are one year closer to our graves. Let us wake up and do our best to please Allah in our daily life.

Let us ask Allah for forgiveness.

Finally, I pray to Allah to benefit those who read this article and others, grant me truthfulness in what I say and do, preserve my thoughts and my pen from deviation and guide me in all my affairs.

And all praise and thanks are due to Allah, without Whose help and guidance nothing can be accomplished. May Allah bless you with happiness, success, guidance, health, and knowledge. May Almighty Allah give us the strength to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and make us part of the group who is among the most righteous! Ameen.

Be patient with yourself. And Keep learning!!

Always start your day by renewing your intention that everything you do for yourself and your community, whether it be your acts of worship or daily chores. It all has to be merely for the sake of Allah (SWT) and also, I ask Allah (SWT) to make my work dedicated only to him and forgiveness from Allah (SWT), if I have got anything wrong. It is He who is the Hearing, the knowing.

I will be calmer, I will spread love as long as I can, I will live a spiritual life, I will do what I please no matter what and I will prove my theories.

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