Ihram Guide | bulawa.pk

Short answer: Ihram is the first fard of Umrah. You enter the state of Ihram by making the intention and reciting the Talbiyah. Ihram is a special state in which some ordinarily halal things become haram. You must be in the state of Ihram by the time you reach the Miqat, and avoid everything that is not allowed in Ihram until your Umrah is complete.

At a glance

When Ihram begins: with the intention and Talbiyah
Where: before or at the Miqat
Men: two white unstitched sheets, head and face uncovered
Women: normal modest clothing, with no cloth touching the face
When it ends: with halq or qasr after the Sa’i of Umrah

Step-by-step guide

Where is your Miqat?

Pakistan straight to Makkah (flight to Jeddah): you pass the Miqat on the plane. Take a bath at home or at the airport, put on the Ihram sheets and pray the nafl. On the plane, when the Miqat is announced, make the intention and recite the Talbiyah.
Madinah first: no Ihram is needed from Pakistan. On the way from Madinah to Makkah, enter Ihram at the mosque of Dhul Hulaifah (Abyar Ali).
Another Umrah while staying in Makkah: go outside the Haram boundary, for example to Masjid Aisha (Tan’eem), and enter Ihram there.

How to enter Ihram

Trim your nails and remove unwanted hair.
Take a bath; if that isn’t possible, make wudu.
Men put on the two Ihram sheets: one wrapped around the waist, one over the shoulders. Women wear their normal modest clothing.
If it is not a disliked (makruh) time, pray two rak’at nafl with the head covered.
Uncover the head, make the intention for Umrah and immediately recite the Talbiyah: men aloud, women quietly.

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

The full details are on the “Umrah Procedure” page.

What is not allowed in Ihram

For men: wearing stitched clothing, or covering the head or face.
For men: shoes that cover the raised middle bone on top of the foot.
For women: a niqab that touches the face.
Perfume, or scented soap, oil or cream.
Cutting or plucking hair or nails.
Marital relations, or talk related to them.
Hunting, quarrelling and any sin.

What is allowed in Ihram

Bathing with unscented soap.
Changing or washing the Ihram sheets.
A watch, glasses, a ring, an Ihram belt and a shoulder bag.
Using an umbrella and sitting in the shade.
Taking medicine, as long as it is not scented.

Do

Keep the sheets clean and simple, and carry a spare set.
Recite the Talbiyah often while in Ihram.
If you make a mistake, ask a reliable scholar of your school of thought.

Don’t

After the intention, don’t use scented tissues or wet wipes.
Don’t stitch the sheets.
Avoid quarrelling in Ihram, however much discomfort you are in.

Common mistakes

Falling asleep on the plane and passing the Miqat without intention. A dam (penalty sacrifice) then becomes necessary.
Thinking Ihram begins just by wearing the sheets. It begins with the intention and Talbiyah.
Using scented soap or cream while in Ihram.
Men keeping the right shoulder bare the whole time. Idtiba’ is only during Tawaf.

Frequently asked questions

What if the Miqat isn’t announced on the plane? Make the intention a while after take-off, or about an hour before landing in Jeddah. Making it early is better than making it after the Miqat.

Ihram during menses? A woman can enter Ihram but cannot perform Tawaf until she is pure. Once pure, she takes a bath and performs Umrah.

Can I wear shoes instead of sandals in Ihram? Men should wear sandals that leave the raised middle bone on top of the foot uncovered. Women can wear normal shoes.

What if I accidentally do something not allowed in Ihram? The ruling depends on what happened: sometimes sadaqah, sometimes a dam. Don’t decide yourself; ask a reliable scholar.