Hajj and Umrah are the spiritual and religious journeys in Islam. Ihram is the most important ritual of these two sacred pilgrimages. Ihram is a state of self-restriction and purity, which is obligatory during Hajj and Umrah. In this state, there is also a dress restriction for men and women. It is necessary for men to wear two unstitched white clothes and a modest dress for women. These dressings and restrictions symbolize the simplicity and purity among the Muslims. People often don’t know the details of it and search for it on the internet to do it accurately and avoid mistakes. It’s because these religious journeys are more acceptable when done with perfection. Let’s go into details:

When to wear Ihram

It is obligatory to wear the Ihram for Hajj and Umrah before crossing the Miqat, but it is more comfortable to wear it from home. Miqat is an obligatory boundary, outside the city of Makkah, from where all the Ihram restrictions start for pilgrims. There are five starting points of Miqat:

Miqat Points

Dhul Hulaifa: It is the northernmost point for pilgrims coming from Madinah. It is about 450 km from Makkah.

Al-Juhfah: It is located about 190 km from Makkah to the northwest for the pilgrims from Syria, Egypt, and North Africa.

Qarn al-Manazil: It is the eastern point for the pilgrims coming from Najd and the Gulf. It is about 90 km from Makkah.

Dhat-Irq: It is the northeastern point for the pilgrims coming from Iraq and Iran. It is about 85-92 km from Makkah.

Yalamlam: It is the southern point for pilgrims from Yemen, and it’s about 50-92 km from Makkah.

Things to do Before Ihram

Learn: Learn everything about Ihram and its restrictions so you can do it perfectly.

Purchase: If you are a man, purchase a cloth long enough to cover your body after being divided into two pieces.

Hair and Nails: Cut your hair and trim your nails.

Niyyah (Intention): Make a niyyah in your mind that you are doing it (Hajj or Umrah), purely for the sake of Allah. Say “Labbaik Allahumma ‘Umratan.”  (O Allah, I answer Your call to perform Umrah), for Umrah, and “Labbaik Allahumma Hajjan.”  (O Allah, I answer Your call to perform Hajj), for Hajj.

Ghusl (bath): Perform the religious bath of Islam called Ghusl.

Ihram Dress: How to Wear?

The Ihram dress is not the same for men and women. Here’s the difference:

For Women

There is no specific Ihram dress for women, but it's necessary to cover their whole body except the face and hands. The dress must be thick enough to hide their body parts and loose enough so it can hide the shape of the body too.

For Men

There is a specific Ihram dress for men. It includes two simple unstitched white clothes, Rida and Izar.

Izar: Izar is the cloth wrapped around the lower body up to the toes. Don’t wrap your legs tightly, or it may cause difficulties in walking. Use safety pins to lock it firmly.

Rida: Rida is the cloth to put on your upper body. Cover your whole upper body and expose your right shoulder when performing Tawaf.

Footwear

Women are allowed to cover their feet, while men are not. Men should wear sandals or slippers in which most of the foot must be exposed.

Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some mistakes while wearing the Ihram dress: 

1. Don’t cut your nails or hair after wearing the Ihram and crossing the Miqat.

2. Don’t apply any types of perfume or fragrance on the Ihram or any other apparel.

3. Men shouldn’t cover their feet completely. The major parts should be exposed.

4. Don’t miss the Miqat points, or you’ll have to pay the Dam for it.

Dam: Dam is a fine for missing or violating the Ihram. It means to sacrifice an animal.

5. Men are not allowed to wear stitched garments.

6. Women shouldn’t cover their faces.

Restrictions of Ihram

Since Ihram is a state of purity, several things are forbidden in the state of Ihram. If someone violates these restrictions, Dam will apply to him. Here are the restrictions of the Ihram.

1. Don’t cut your nails or hair after wearing the Ihram and crossing the Miqat.

2. Don’t use any product containing any type of scent or perfume, e.g. soap, shampoo, wet wipes, etc.

3. Don’t get into a war of words or a physical fight with anyone. 

4. Don’t hunt anything.

5. Don’t get engaged in sexual relations or any sexual acts.

6. Don’t get into a romantic or proposal mood with anyone. 

Useful Tips for Ihram

1. Practice walking in Ihram so you get used to it.

2. Use safety pins and a soft belt to hold your Ihram.

3. Carry unscented products (soap, shampoo, etc.) with you to avoid any type of perfume.

4. Carry an extra Ihram set with you to change after the first one gets dirty.

5. Use unscented sunscreen and sunglasses to avoid the direct sunlight.

6. Keep yourself hydrated during the whole journey.

Conclusion

Ihram is a state of purity, equality, and simplicity. The Ihram dress is necessary to do both Hajj and Umrah, the sacred pilgrimages in Islam. It is necessary to learn about the Ihram and its restrictions. There is no particular Ihram dress for women, but men must wear two simple unstitched white clothes. If someone violates the restrictions of Ihram or misses the Ihram while crossing the Miqat, he/she will have to pay Dam. You can learn everything about the Ihram by reading this blog. For more information or any confusion, you may ask from any reputable travel agent, visit a trusted website, or ask a trusted Islamic scholar.