Significance Of Ihram During The Hajj
Definition
To perform the rituals the one who is performing hajj and umrah has to be in the state of ihram. Ihram literally means prevention.
The scholars of fiqh described it: “The intention to start the religious rights and at the same time performed some prescribed acts of worship of hajj.”
The Dress Code Of Ihram
It is recommended for the muhrim to have a bath, to remove the armpit and pubic hairs and trim the mustache as well as the fingernails.
Similarly, the mail muhrim should remove all fitted garments before being pretentious of ihram and wear a white loincloth, a white robe, and sandals.
This is due to the statement of Prophet ﷺ“Anyone of you who intends to perform Hajj or Umrah should assume Ihram in a loincloth and robe and a pair of sandals. If he cannot find sandals, he should put on a pair of khuffs(leather socks), but he must cut them to (be below) ankles.”
As for a woman she could wear a plain dress that must cover all her body except the face hands and feet. There is no prescribed color for the female pilgrim but she must avoid resembling men and wearing adornments. She is not to wear the veil or gloves during Ihram.
It is also recommended for Hajj pilgrims to wear perfume when assuming Ihram. As quoted by Prophet’s wife Ayesha‘s RZ: “I used to perfume the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for the purpose of Ihram at the time he intended it.”
But the Ihram clothes are not to be perfumed due to the statement of the Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Do not put on clothes to which saffron has been applied. “
Related Article: How to Perform Hajj – A Complete Hajj Guide 2020
Forbidden Acts In The State Of Ihram
There are many acts that are prohibited when one is in the state of Ihram.
It is prohibited to shave, trim or pluck the hair as Allah the highest said: “And do not shave your heads until the Hadi reaches the place of sacrifice.”
This ruling is applicable to any hair of the body being deduced through analogy from the rule relating to the hair on the head.
Similarly, it is prohibited for the muhrim to clip his/her nails.
It is prohibited for the male to cover his head with any attached fitting object. We have Prophet ﷺ describing the clothes of the muhrim by saying,” Do not wear shirts, turbans, trousers or hooded cloaks.”
It is prohibited for muhrim to kill or hunt land games. The land game means every wild animal or bird that is permissible for consumption. However domestic animals are not regarded as games.
It is prohibited for muhrim to carry out even a marriage contract. As the Prophet ﷺ said: “A person in the state of Ihram neither marry himself, nor arrange the marriage of another one, nor should he make the proposal of marriage.”
Sexual intercourse is also forbidden for the muhrim.
Ihram is the official dress code of hajj. It resembles with the shroud that every Muslim wears after his death. Ihram isn’t just a dress code; it’s kind of a state in which the pilgrim has to obey all the requisites to follow the hajj rituals. May Allah grant every Muslim to wear Ihram at least once in his lifetime, Ameen.