THE IHRAM (CONSECRATION)

Ihraam means having the intention of starting the rituals of Hajj or Umrah.

When the pilgrim wants to enter ihraam, he should change his clothes and do ghusl like the ghusl done to cleanse oneself of janaabah (impurity following sexual activity). Then he should apply whatever perfume is available, musk or whatever, to his head and beard. It does not matter if traces of that perfume remain after he enters ihraam, because of the hadeeth narrated in al-Saheehayn from Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to enter ihraam, he would perfume himself with the best perfume he could find, then I would see shining traces of that musk on his head and beard after that." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 271; Muslim, 1190.

Then after doing ghusl and putting on perfume, the pilgrim should put on the ihraam garments:

1. Ihraam for Men:

In the case of men, there is a specific garment for ihram, namely the izaar (lower garment or waist wrapper) and rida' (upper garment). These are two un-stiched and clean pieces of white cloth. He should not wear a thobe or pants or headgear or burnoose or khufoof (leather slippers).

2. Ihraam for Women:

There is no specific garment for ihram in the case of women; rather a woman may wear whatever she wants, except that she should not wear the niqaab or gloves. The niqaab is that which is worn over the face, in which there is a hole for the eyes; the gloves are that which is worn on the hands.

After putting on ihraam garments pray the obligatory prayer if that is at the time of an obligatory prayer, otherwise they should pray two rak'ahs with the intention of the Sunnah prayer of wudoo'. When the pilgrim has finished praying he should face the qiblah and enter ihraam. He may delay ihraam until he has boarded his means of transportation, and is ready to move off, but he should enter ihraam before he leaves the meeqaat for Makkah.

When the pilgrim comes by sea or by air, the flight captain will announce approach to meeqat so that the pilgrims can enter the Ihram. It is permissible for the pilgrim to put on his Ihram garments at home in his own country.

✍️ Uncle Yunus