Rules of Ihram

http://islamqa.org/hanafi/darulfiqh/76434

Question:

Can you please tell me what does Ihraam mean?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Ihraam literally means to declare something unlawful upon oneself. 

Ihraam is commonly referred to the clothing worn by a person performing Umrah or Hajj.

However, Ihraam in the context of Shari’ah refers to entering into a state of adhering to the prohibitions of even normally permitted things, with the intention of performing Hajj and/or Umrah.  The wearing of the white clothing symbolises this state, although this state is not entered into by wearing the sheets of white alone.[1]

One must be in the state of Ihram before crossing the Mīqāt boundaries located around the blessed city of Makkah.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Faraz ibn Adam al-Mahmudi,www.darulfiqh.com

Question: 

What is the meaning of Ihram and what is the method of putting it on?

---

Answer: 

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Literally the word Ihram means to enter into a sanctity which cannot be broken. In the context of the blessed shari’ah ihram means to enter into a state in which certain actions are not permissible. (Raddul Muhtar P479 V2)

There are two conditions without which Ihram is not valid, Intention and Dhikr.

The method for Ihram is as follows:

Perform Ghusl (bath) or wudhu (ablution), Ghusl is preferable, apply perfume, wear two new or clean sheets, perform two rak’ats optional salah, and recite the following duas:

اللهم اني اريد الحج العمرة فيسره لي و تقبله مني

Oh Allah I intend to perform Hajj/umrah so make it easy for me and accept it from me.

Then perform intention and read the Talbiyyah:

I am present Oh Allah I am present, I am present (I testify that) there is no God besides you I am present, Indeed all praises and blessings are yours and the kingdom is yours, There is no God besides you.

Wearing Underwear in Ihram 

Question #: 5524 

Date Posted: 04-03-2004 

<QUESTION>

Is it permissible for a male to wear a piece of cloth as underwear under the Ihram or is it forbidden?

<ANSWER>

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Almost all of the major books in the Hanafi Madhhab are unanimous on the fact that, it is impermissible for a male who is in the state of Ihram to wear something that is sewn, stitched or knitted to the shape of one’s body.

Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) states:

“After one has made the intention of Ihram, one must refrain from……wearing a shirt, trousers, meaning any clothing that is made in proportion to the shape of the body or part of the body, such as pliers (zardiya) and a cloak.” 

The great Hanafi Imam, Allama Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) explains:

“This refers to the prohibition (of wearing) anything that is sewn….And it is related in al-Bahr from Ibn Amir Haj al-Halabi, that the criterion in this regard is that, it will not be permissible to wear anything that is made in proportion to the shape of the whole body or part of the body, in a way that it wraps and surrounds the body (or part of it) due to the sewing, joining parts of the clothing to one another or by any other means, and that it stays upright on the body itself by merely wearing it.” (Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Durr, 2/489)

It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:

“A person in Ihram must not wear anything that is sewn, such as a shirt, cloak, trousers, turban, or socks...And the unlawful sewn clothing is that which is normally worn.” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/224) 

The meaning of the above (and other) statements is that, any type of clothing that is either sewn, stitched, knitted, wedged, hemmed, weaved or joined in any other way, to the shape of the whole body or to the shape of an organ of the body, it will not be permissible to wear it.

Thus, it will not be permissible for a male who is in the state of Ihram to wear a ghallabiyya (or jubba), shirt, trousers, vest, top, sweater, underwear, shorts, cloak, coat, hat, headgear, turban, gloves, and socks, for all of the above fall within the criterion explained above.

However, there is no harm in having stitched patching to the Ihram sheets as well as sewing of the loin in the middle, for this is not stitched or sewn to the shape of the whole body. One may also wear slippers under the condition that the bone on the foot where the shoelace is normally placed, remains exposed. If one does not have such slippers, it will also be allowed to cut the socks to the extent of that bone and then wear them. (See: Radd al-Muhtar, 2/490 & other fiqh references)

With the above, I hope your query has been answered.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK

Smoking in Ihram 

Question #: 5964 

Date Posted: 31-03-2004 

<QUESTION>

What is the ruling for smoking and being in the state of Ihram?

<ANSWER>

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

In the state of Ihram, one is not allowed to apply any kind of perfume or fragrance to the body or clothes. To smell any perfume, sweet smelling flower or fruit intentionally is disliked (makruh). However, smelling some perfume unintentionally will have no significance. (See: Radd al-Muhtar, 2/487 & Manasic of Mulla Ali al-Qari)

Now, this perfume or fragrance has been defined in the famous Hanafi Fiqh work, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya as follows:

“Perfume is everything that has a pleasant scent to it, and it is considered by sensible people (u’qala) to be a form of perfume.” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/240)

Thus, in light of the above, smoking would not be considered to be intentionally smelling perfume, for the scent found in smoking cigarettes is not considered to be pleasant, rather the opposite. Thus, it will not be considered to be violating the restriction of Ihram.

However, one must remember that, many contemporary scholars hold smoking cigarettes to be unlawful (haram), as mentioned in detail in an earlier post.

Thus, one should try and abstain from smoking, especially when one is in the state of Ihram. If one, keeping in mind the respect of the sacred places and rituals, tries his best to stop smoking in the period of performing Hajj or Umrah, then who knows Allah Almighty may make it easy for him to quit smoking altogether. 

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK

Covering the Face (niqab) whilst in Ihram 

Question #: 5513 

Date Posted: 04-03-2004 

<QUESTION>

Is it necessary for a woman to cover her face during Ihram (during Umrah/Hajj)? Will she be excused for not covering her face due to the difficulties associated with niqabs hanging from baseball caps? Inshallah as soon as my state of Ihram is complete, I would wear the Niqab but what about during the days of ihram?

<ANSWER>

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

The ruling in the Hanafi Madhhab (and even in other madhhabs) is that, although the face is not considered to be part of one’s nakedness (awra), it is necessary to cover it, due to the fitna involved in not doing so. This is the transmitted position in the Hanafi School, as mentioned in virtually all the major fiqh books.

Some contemporary scholars have a more lenient approach to this issue, especially for the West. However, my understanding is (according to what I have learnt from my teachers) that a woman is required to cover her face even in the west except in dire situations.

As such, if you are travelling for Hajj, and you normally cover your face at home, you must cover it whilst in the state of Ihram also. This covering must be done in a way that the Niqab does not touch the face, such as wearing a cap, etc…

Indeed a woman must not have a cloth whilst in Ihram that touches her face. However, at the same time, she should avoid exposing her face in front of non-Mahram men, especially when she is young and when the risk of Fitna is greater.

As such, in the presence of non-Mahram men, she should cover her face in a way that no clothing touches her face, by wearing a cap or something else. Even in the days of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), the female Companions (Allah be pleased with them) abstained from exposing their faces in front of non-Mahram men.

Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that, the (caravan of) riders would pass by us whilst we were in the state of Ihram in the company of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace). When they got close to us, we would draw our outer cloak from our heads over our faces (m, without letting it touch the face) and when they passed by, we would uncover our faces.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 1826)

However, if it becomes very difficult, in that it becomes virtually impossible to wear the niqab (even with a cap, etc), and you fear harm onto yourself, then in such a case you will be excused in leaving the face exposed, but try to keep the face away from non-Mahram men whenever reasonably possible.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK



http://darulfiqh.com/what-does-ihraam-mean/

Question:

What are the differences between a male and female when performing Hajj?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

There are a number of differences between a male and female in Ihram and whilst performing the Hajj and Umrah rites:

1)     A woman must not let any cloth touch her face and her head must be covered.  However, this does not mean she should not do hijab.  She should wear a veil suspended from a cap.  These type of veils are available to purchase.  The man must keep his head uncovered.

2)     It is permissible for a lady to wear gloves. A male cannot wear gloves in the state of Ihrām.

3)     A lady may wear socks and shoes.  A man cannot wear socks or shoes.  He must leave the instep of the foot exposed.

4)     A woman will not recite the Talbiyah audibly.  A man should recite the Talbiyah aloud but not to the extent that it disturbs others.

5)     A woman will not perform Raml (walking briskly) when performing Tawāf.  A male will perform Raml in any Tawāf which precedes a Sa’i.

6)     A woman will not do Idhtibā’ (leaving the right shoulder exposed) in Ihraam) for Tawāf.  A male will do Idhtibā’.

7)     When performing Sa’i, a woman will not run between the two green lights.  A male should run between the two green lights.

8)     A woman will not shave her hair off her head (Halaq).  She will only cut off one inch from her hair.  A male has the discretion of either shaving or trimming

9)     A female can wear her normal sewn clothes.  It is not permissible for a male to dress normally in his day to day clothing in the state of Ihram.

10) A woman must not go near the al-Hajr al-Aswad (the black stone) to kiss it in peak times.  A male may go on condition he does not cause others difficulty by pushing and shoving.

11) A woman should not perform her two Rak’ats Wājib Salāh after Tawāf near the Maqām Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim) at peak times.  A male may perform the two Ra’kats near Maqām Ibrahim if there is space.

12)A woman will not be penalised with a Dam penalty for leaving the Wajib of Tawāf al-Widā’ due to haidh (menstruation) or nifas (post-natal bleeding).  Likewise, if she delays the performance of Tawāf al-Ziyārah and performs it after the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, she will not have to give a dam penalty for delaying.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Faraz ibn Adam al-Mahmudi,www.darulfiqh.com

http://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa-birmingham/19523
Cap Niqab in Hajj

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful. 

Answer

The awrah (nakedness) of a woman in front of a non-mahram (those with whom marriage is lawful) consists of the whole body except the face, hands and feet. (Raddul Muhtar p.531 v.9) Wherever there is an apprehension of fitnah or temptation then it will be compulsory for a woman to cover her face.

Allahmah Ibn Abeedeen Shami (RA) has said: “A young woman will be prevented from exposing her face not because it is part of the awrah, rather (for the fear of temptation.” (Raddul Muhtar p.532 v.9)

Moreover, there are many ahadith which informs us that the wearing of the niqab was a practice of the Muslim women during the blessed era of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam.

Safiyah Bint Shaibah Radiallahu Anha narrates that Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha used to say “When (the verse): ‘They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms’ was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.”  (Sahih Bukhari)

Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam used to offer the Fajr prayer and some believing women covered with their veiling sheets used to attend the Fajr prayer with him and then they would return to their homes unrecognised.   (Sahih Bukhari)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham Ibn Urwa that Fatima Bint Mundhir (Radiallahu Anha) said “We used to veil our faces when we were in Ihram in the company of Asma Bint Abi Bakr Radiallahu Anha.  (Muwatta Malik)

Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha said; “The riders would pass us while we were with the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam. When they got close to us we would draw our outer cloak from our heads over our faces. When they passed by we would uncover our faces. (Sunan Abi Dawud)

One of the restrictions of the ihram is that men are not allowed to cover their heads and no piece of cloth should either cover or touch their faces. Although women can wear normal clothes, they must NOT wear gloves or a niqab. Instead, they will cover their faces in the presence of men who are not their mahram in a way that the piece of cloth used does not touch the face, such as wearing a cap, etc…

Saaiduna Ibn UmarRadiallahu Anhu narrates that Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam forbade women pilgrims from wearing gloves, veils, and clothes dyed with saffron or warse. (A sweet smelling plant that was used to dye clothes yellow) Besides these, they may wear anything else, any colour, silk clothes, ornaments, trousers, or a shirt or shoes.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan Baihaqi and Mustadrak Al-Hakim)

However, if it becomes very difficult, in that it becomes virtually impossible to wear the niqab (even with a cap, etc), and one fears harm onto herself, then in such a case one will be excused in leaving the face exposed, but try to keep the face away from non-Mahram men whenever possible by using a chadar or any other piece of garment.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

http://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/7779

s it necessary for a woman to cover her face during Ihram (during Umrah/Hajj)? Will she be excused for not covering her face due to the difficulties associated with niqabs hanging from baseball caps? Inshallah as soon as my state of Ihram is complete, I would wear the Niqab but what about during the days of ihram?

ANSWER

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

The ruling in the Hanafi Madhhab (and even in other madhhabs) is that, although the face is not considered to be part of one’s nakedness (awra), it is necessary to cover it, due to the fitna involved in not doing so. This is the transmitted position in the Hanafi School, as mentioned in virtually all the major fiqh books.

Some contemporary scholars have a more lenient approach to this issue, especially for the West. However, my understanding is (according to what I have learnt from my teachers) that a woman is required to cover her face even in the west except in dire situations.

As such, if you are travelling for Hajj, and you normally cover your face at home, you must cover it whilst in the state of Ihram also. This covering must be done in a way that the Niqab does not touch the face, such as wearing a cap, etc…

Indeed a woman must not have a cloth whilst in Ihram that touches her face. However, at the same time, she should avoid exposing her face in front of non-Mahram men, especially when she is young and when the risk of Fitna is greater.

As such, in the presence of non-Mahram men, she should cover her face in a way that no clothing touches her face, by wearing a cap or something else. Even in the days of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), the female Companions (Allah be pleased with them) abstained from exposing their faces in front of non-Mahram men.

Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that, the (caravan of) riders would pass by us whilst we were in the state of Ihram in the company of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace). When they got close to us, we would draw our outer cloak from our heads over our faces (m, without letting it touch the face) and when they passed by, we would uncover our faces.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 1826)

However, if it becomes very difficult, in that it becomes virtually impossible to wear the niqab (even with a cap, etc), and you fear harm onto yourself, then in such a case you will be excused in leaving the face exposed, but try to keep the face away from non-Mahram men whenever reasonably possible.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK