Ihram is simply the type of clothing a person has to wear/enter in order to perform Umrah as well as Hajj. The word Ihram is of Arabic Language which simply means “declare a lawful thing as Haram (unlawful) on oneself”. The person who is in the state of Ihram is known as “Muhrim”.
Ihram finds great significance in Islamic Pilgrimage. Whether you are going for the lesser pilgrimage through umrah packages UK or any other country, one has to enter the state of Ihram for it. The same concept also applies to Hajj. Ihram not only unites all the Muslims but also portrays brotherhood, equality, and love that Islam gives them. Social Status, Nationalities, Power, Wealth, Fame, Culture and Traditions – there’s no difference between them. Everyone was born equal, will depart equal and is equal in front of Allah Almighty. There’s no superiority among people but on the basis of Taqwa. Therefore, the message of positivity is perceived by all the people living in the world.
However, one must know the certain rules of Ihram, which are;
Type of Clothing.
For Men; Ihram consists of 2 simple white pieces of cloths. You can select the fabric and length according to your wish. The first piece of cloth that is used to cover the lower half of the body (from below the waist) is “Izaar”. While the second one use for covering the upper half of the body is “Rida”.
Men necessarily have to wear Ihram when performing the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. While Tawaf, the right shoulder should remain uncovered. In the same way, while Sayee both shoulders must remain covered. No other piece of clothing, sewn garments or coloured outfits are allowed.
For Women; Ihram is the usual clothing i.e. there isn’t any specific dress code for Ihram. Women can wear any sewn fabric, of any colour, of any sort. There aren’t any restrictions. Needless to say, the clothing must remain modest and simple. For the very reason, almost all the women prefer wearing Abaya on top of their clothes.
While Tawaf, it is prohibited for women to cover their face or hands.
Preparation.
Before entering the state of Ihram, one must;
- Clip its fingernails and toenails.
- Trim his moustache to an appropriate size.
- Remove unnecessary hair from the body especially from underarms and below the navel.
- Perform Ghusl.
After achieving the state of Purity, a person can enter the state of Ihram. It is usually advised to wear Ihram before departure. Hence you can either wear it at Airport and even from your home. Then,
- Perform 2 Rakat Salah with heads covered.
- Recite Niyyah for Umrah.
- Recite Talbiyaah.
Whether you are going for umrah through last 10 days Ramadan umrah packages or ordinary ones, abiding by these rules is necessary. In addition, there are also some prohibitions imposed during the state of Ihram that one must consider. Otherwise, a penalty is due and even your umrah/hajj can become invalid.
