Ihram Rules, Restrictions & Preparation Guide for Umrah

Why Understanding Ihram Is Essential for a Valid and Accepted Umrah

Entering the Ihram state is the foundation of a pilgrimage that makes the whole journey valid and meaningful. So, understanding Ihram significance and its restrictions is important for every pilgrim planning an Umrah journey.

Planning your Umrah journey this year? Understand Umrah rituals one by one and start with knowing Ihram state, Ihram clothes, Ihram rules and restrictions as well as a complete preparation guide. So, let's read to clear all the confusion about Ihram.

What is Ihram in Umrah?

Entering Ihram is the foremost ritual of Umrah and belongs to pilgrims specifically. And it's the first thing that pilgrims should learn when it comes to knowing how to perform Umrah step by step. It's a spiritual state in which pilgrims perform all the rites of pilgrimage. In Ihram, pilgrims, especially men wear specific clothes as a dress code of pilgrimage that also defines their purpose of journey.

Ihram vs Ihram Clothing Clearing a Common Confusion

Entering Ihram and wearing Ihram clothes aren't the same. In fact, entering Ihram is specific with making niyyah for an Umrah journey. On the other hand, pilgrims can wear Ihram at the airport without making niyyah. So, Ihram imposes restrictions when pilgrims make niyyah for an Umrah and thus they enter into Ihram state this way.

What Is Miqat and Why You Cannot Cross It Without Ihram

Miqat is a boundary location at which Muslims enter Ihram state with the intention to perform Umrah. So, any Muslim who intends to perform Umrah can't cross the Miqat boundary without entering Ihram. And it's the point where pilgrims make niyyah of the pilgrimage and after which they have to follow the rules and restrictions of Ihram.

Five Official Miqat Locations for Umrah Pilgrims

There are five Miqat points for pilgrims traveling to Makkah from different directions. 

Dhul Hulaifah: For pilgrims traveling from Madinah.
Juhfah: For pilgrims traveling from Syria, Egypt and North Africa.
Qarn al-Manazil: For pilgrims traveling from Najd and central Arabia.
Yalamlam: For pilgrims traveling from Yemen and southern regions.
Dhat Irq: For pilgrims traveling from Iraq and nearby areas.

Miqat Rules for USA Umrah Pilgrims

Pilgrims traveling from the USA have a couple of options when it comes to entering Ihram. For example, they can wear Ihram clothes at the airport before boarding an Umrah flight and make niyyah immediately or after getting into the flight.

Ihram and Niyyah During Long International Flights

US pilgrims can wear Ihram clothes at the airport without making niyyah yet. All Umrah flights from the USA to Jeddah announce Miqat point for pilgrims. So, it's the point when pilgrims have to make niyyah before crossing Miqat and enter into Ihram state.

Pre-Ihram Preparation Before Traveling for Umrah

Islam prioritizes both physical and spiritual purity and the same works for pilgrims too. So, it's important to take care of physical purity before wearing Ihram clothes. So, here's what to do before departing for airport:

• Perform ghusl (full body bath) as it's a Sunnah before wearing Ihram garments.
• Trim nails and remove unwanted hair before wearing Ihram as these are  prohibited in the state of Ihram.
• Apply perfume to the body but not on the Ihram clothing.  

After that, men can wear simple clothes and take Ihram clothes at the airport to wear before boarding the flight. However, women can wear Ihram clothes after performing ghusl even without making niyyah.

Ihram Clothing Requirements for Umrah

There are different rules of Ihram garments for men and women. However, Ihram clothes are equally important for all pilgrims. So, follow the given requirements of ihram dress code to get it done exactly according to the Sunnah for men, women and children:

Ihram Clothes for Men

There are specific rules of Ihram for men in Islam. So, it's important to follow all these rules and avoid any violation. Here's what it includes:

• Two plain, unstitched white pieces of cloth.
• Upper cloth (Rida) to wrap around the shoulders and chest.
• Lower cloth (Izar) to wrap around the waist and cover the lower body.
• No stitched undergarments under Ihram clothes.
• Men can wear sandals or slippers while leaving ankles and the top of the feet exposed.
• Men are not allowed to cover their heads while in Ihram.

Ihram Clothes for Women

There aren't specific rules about Ihram clothes for women in Islam. But there are some rules about modesty and simplicity that every woman pilgrim has to follow. Here's what it includes:

• Regular modest clothing either abaya or loose-fitting dress. 
• Ihram clothes must provide full body coverage except face and hands.
• Ihram clothes should be plain and simple without any bright color or design.
• No face covering (niqab) is allowed.
• No gloves are allowed to wear while in Ihram.
• Head covering is allowed.

Ihram Rules for Children

Ihram rules for children aren't as strict as for adults. However, children above 5 years should consider formal Ihram dress code. For example, boys have to wear Ihram clothes similarly to adult men and girls have to wear Ihram clothes similar to adult women. However, there's no Ihram penalty for children if they ever violate Ihram restrictions anyway.

How to Wear Ihram Properly (Step-by-Step)

Wearing Ihram should meet the Sunnah method especially for men. So, here's a step by step method to follow while wearing Ihram clothes:

• Wearing the lower cloth (Izar) to cover the body from navel to the ankles. 
• Wearing the upper cloth (Rida) over the upper body to cover shoulders and chest. 
• Securing both white sheets firmly so it doesn't slip while walking. 
• Ensuring proper fit and coverage without exposing the body.
• Wearing suitable footwear that doesn't cover ankles and the top of the feet.
• Leaving the head uncovered. 

Ihram Restrictions for Men and Women

The state of Ihram is a unique spiritual condition having specific ihram rules and restrictions for both men and women. So, following all the rules of Ihram is important to perform Umrah correctly and expect its acceptance. Here's the detail of Ihram rules for Umrah in Islam and things to avoid while in Ihram:

• Cutting or plucking hair anywhere from the body.
• Cutting nails.
• Using perfume on clothes or the body.
• Hunting or harming land animals. 
• Cutting or harming plants in the Haram area.
• Engaging in fights or arguments. 
• Using bad language.
• Having marital relations.
• Doing romantic or sexual actions.
• Making marriage contracts.
• Lying, cheating or harming others.

These are the things that pilgrims have to avoid until they exit the Ihram state. 

Permitted Actions While in Ihram

Not everything is restricted during Ihram state for pilgrims. In fact, everything besides the above-mentioned acts is permitted for pilgrims in Ihram. For example, here's a list of permitted actions while in Ihram:

• Taking bath or shower.
• Using unscented soap and shampoo.
• Washing Ihram clothes or changing them.
• Wearing belt or money pouch.
• Carrying backpack.
• Using an umbrella for shade.
• Wearing watch or glasses.
• Using phone or electronic devices.
• Treating wounds. 
• Taking medicine.
• Scratching the body gently if needed.
• Sleeping or resting as needed.

Violations of Ihram Rules

Doing any of the restricted acts during Ihram violates the rules of Ihram in Islam. And just repenting this violation isn't the solution that brings the purity of Ihram back. This is because there are specific penalties for violation of Ihram restrictions. And this penalty depends on the type of violation either minor or major.

Minor Violations of Ihram

Minor violations are acts that go against the rules of Ihram but aren't much serious. Such violations happen due to lack of knowledge or due to any need. And thus, it requires a penalty (Fidyah) that the pilgrim has to meet. After considering Fidyah, the pilgrimage becomes valid and acceptable. Here are the actions that violate the Ihram rules and require Fidyah:

• Cutting hair.
• Cutting nails.
• Using perfume.
• Wearing stitched clothes (for men).
• Covering the head (for men).
• Covering the face for (women).
• Wearing gloves (for women).
• Hunting land animals.

Penalty (Fidyah) for Minor Ihram Violations

The minor violation doesn't invalidate the pilgrimage especially when done unknowingly. However, the pilgrim must consider giving Fidyah to make up for mistake while continuing Umrah rituals. Fidyah for minor violations includes:

• Feeding poor people.
• Fasting for a few days.
• Animal sacrifice.

Major Violations of Ihram

Major violations are acts that go against the rules of Ihram and are very serious in terms of Islamic teachings. These are major violations that even invalidate the pilgrimage especially when done intentionally. Here are the actions that can invalidate the pilgrimage:

• Having sexual intercourse.
• Sexual acts with desire.
• Marriage contract or proposal.
• Continuing major violations knowingly.

Penalty for Major Ihram Violations

The penalty for doing a major violation during Ihram requires animal sacrifice. And when pilgrims perform such serious acts intentionally, this all invalidates the pilgrimage. And thus, pilgrims have to repeat the pilgrimage later in such a situation.

Essential Ihram Packing Checklist for Umrah Pilgrims

Men have to wear Ihram clothes at the airport before boarding an Umrah flight. So, they have to pack Ihram-related items separately before departing for the airport. So, here's a checklist of essentials things to pack only related to Ihram:

• Ihram garments. 
• Extra Ihram set.
• Modest loose clothes for women.
• Ihram belt.
• Safety pins.
• Unscented soap.
• Unscented towel.
• Small bag for Ihram items.
• Unscented Pocket tissue. 
• Travel-sized prayer mat.

Duration of Ihram During Umrah

The duration of Ihram depends on personal and surrounding factors in which pilgrims complete their Umrah rituals. Pilgrims exit the Ihram state as soon as they perform Halq or Qasr after completing Tawaf and Sa'i. And the state of Ihram begins when pilgrims make niyyah of the Umrah journey before crossing Miqat and recite Talbiyah. 

Common Ihram Mistakes Pilgrims Should Avoid

Ihram is the foundation of a pilgrimage that can also invalidate Umrah upon violation of Ihram rules. However, many pilgrims don't take Ihram as a major ritual and make mistakes. To protect the sanctity of Ihram and enhance the chances of acceptance, every pilgrim needs to avoid these mistakes:

• Passing Miqat without entering Ihram and making niyyah of Umrah.
• Using scented products after making niyyah of performing Umrah. 
• Having no understanding of Ihram restrictions and rules.
• Thinking Ihram is only clothing but not a sacred state.
• Cutting hair or nails while in Ihram.
• Wearing stitched clothing (for men).
• Covering the head (for men).
• Wearing niqab or gloves (for women).
• Arguing, fighting or using bad language.
• Forgetting to recite Talbiyah.

Final Words 

In conclusion, understanding Ihram significance and its restrictions is important for every pilgrim planning an Umrah journey. Though it's simply a state of sanctity and spirituality that every pilgrim has to follow mindfully. So, the first step is to understand when the Ihram state begins and ends, then know about Ihram garments and a wearing method and after that, know about Ihram rules. And it's a simple step that makes the whole Umrah journey easier and acceptable.