The word Ihram is commonly used to define an article of necessary clothing for the pilgrims to wear when performing hajj or umrah rituals. However, Ihram is rather a state of absolute purity itself that a pilgrim has to be in for carrying out the rituals of the obligatory pilgrimage as well as minor pilgrimage. As per the teachings of Islam, it’s not permissible for any believer to perform the rituals of pilgrimages without assuming the state of Ihram. Hence, the significance of Ihram can easily be evaluated from the very fact. That’s why pilgrims arriving in the region through their 5 star hajj packages wear Ihram before the Meeqat Boundary is crossed.
Where to Assume Ihram?
Meeqat boundaries are the specific areas i.e., 5 in total covering all corners of the Makkah city, where pilgrims go and assume Ihram before beginning the rituals of pilgrimage. If anyone crosses the Meeqat boundary without wearing Ihram, a penalty is due for him/her.
Yet, the Meeqat place would differ for every individual depending upon its region of travel. It’s advised that you proper guidance from your travel agent to know about the particular Meeqat place specified for your region of arrival in the Kingdom.
Preparations to wear Ihram.
Physical Purity.
Before assuming the state of Ihram, a pilgrim must perform all of the following acts;
• Get a mustache trim and also a haircut (if necessary).
• Clip its fingernails as well as toenails.
• Remove the unnecessary hair from the body i.e., from below the navel and underarms.
• Perform Ghusl as it’s a sunnah as well as a recommended act. Yet, Wudhu can also be perfumed a person is not in a state of some major impurity.
Ihram clothing.
1. For men.
For men, Ihram clothing only consists of two white-colored sheets of simple cloth; no article of stitched clothing is permissible to wear. The sheet used to cover the area from the navel to below the knees is usually referred to as ‘Izar’ while the other used for draping over the shoulders like a shawl is known as ‘Rida’.
For male pilgrims, their ankles and feet should remain uncovered at all times. That means wearing socks or closed footwear is prohibited in the state of Ihram.
2. For women.
For women, ihram clothing can be their ordinary clothes i.e., there’s no specific dress code to follow. Yet, the clothing worn for Ihram should remain simple and modest (in accordance with the Islamic teachings).
For female pilgrims, it’s not permissible to cover their face or hands in the state of Ihram however the head should be covered at all times.
After wearing Ihram clothes, the pilgrims must perform Salah-al-Ihram and then make Niyyah for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage before crossing the Meeqat boundary.
