The hajj is incumbent on all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage, but only if their absence will not place hardships on their family. A person may perform the hajj by proxy, appointing a relative or friend going on the pilgrimage to “stand in” for him or her.

The pattern of pilgrimage rites was established by the Prophet Muhammad, but variations have arisen in it, and the stringent formal itinerary is not strictly adhered to by the mass of pilgrims, who frequently visit the various Meccan sites out of their proper order.

Despite being an important aspect of the pilgrimage, not everyone is aware of how to wear Ihram for Umrah. Before wearing Ihram, pilgrims must:

Umrah Ihram for men and women differs in many aspects, including clothing and rules & regulations.

- Ihram For Men

The Hajj and Umrah Ihram for men consists of two white unstitched sheets. The cloth used for Ihram is a simple unstitched plain white cloth that must be wrapped around the body. Also, it must be new, otherwise the Umrah will be invalid.

It is believed that the cloth worn as Ihram is used as a Kafan, which is the cloth wrapped around a person when he/she dies. Kafan should not have a single stitch according to the religious rules. The shoes should not be stitched either, hence it is advisable to wear slippers or flip-flops. Men must not cover their hair nor their face while in Ihram. While wearing Ihram, they should make sure that their calves must be visible.

- Ihram For Women

The Hajj and Umrah Ihram for ladies is very different as compared to men. Women can wear any ordinary dress for Umrah. They must cover their head but are forbidden to cover their faces. They are not allowed to wear burkha or niqab (an item of clothing used by Muslim women to cover their bodies) while in Ihram. A hijab (a cloth used by women in Islam to cover their hair) is mandatory. Their head dress must not cover their forehead. While in Ihram, women must not cut or trim nails or hair. Application of any type of fragrance or makeup is forbidden while being in Ihram.


Things to avoid in ihram

The things which are forbidden in ihram are things which a person must refrain from doing because of being in ihram. They are: 

1.Shaving the hair of the head, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“and do not shave your heads until the Hady [sacrificial animal] reaches the place of sacrifice.” [al-Baqarah 2:196]

The scholars added to the prohibition on shaving the head, the prohibition on shaving any hair on the body, and on `. 

2.Using perfume after entering ihram , whether on one’s clothes or body, or in one's food or when washing the deceased muhrim or in any way whatsoever. Using perfume is forbidden in ihram because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said concerning a man whose camel trampled him to death, “Wash him with water and lotus leaves and shroud him in his two garments, but do not cover his head or perfume him with hanut.” Hanut is a mixture of perfumes that is usually applied to the deceased. 

3.Intercourse, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj.” [al-Baqarah 2:197] 

4.Touching one’s wife with desire , because this comes under the general meaning of the phrase “he should not have sexual relations (with his wife)”, and because it is not permissible for the muhrim (person in ihram) to get married or to propose marriage – so it is more likely that it is not permissible for him to touch his wife with desire. 

5.Killing game (hunting), because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning: 

“O you who believe! Kill not the game while you are in a state of Ihram [for Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage)].” [al-Maidah 5:95]

As for cutting down the trees, that is not haram for the muhrim, except for those trees within the amyal, i.e., the boundaries of the sanctuary, cutting which is forbidden whether one is in ihram or not. Hence it is permissible to cut down trees in ‘Arafah even if one is in ihram, because the prohibition on cutting down trees is connected to the Haram (sanctuary), not ihram. 

6. A prohibition which applies exclusively to men is wearing shirts, hooded robes, trousers, turbans and leather slippers, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about what the muhrim should wear. He said: “He should not wear a shirt, hooded robe (burnus), trousers, a turban or leather slippers.” But he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made an exception for one who cannot find an izar (lower garment or waist wrapper), who may wear trousers, and one who cannot find sandals, who may wear leather slippers. 

These five things are described by the scholars as wearing sewn garments , so the common folk imagine that wearing sewn garments means wearing clothes that have stitching in them, but that is not the case. What the scholars meant by that is wearing clothes that are tailored to fit the body or part of it, such as shirts and trousers. This is what they meant. Hence if a person wears a rida (upper garment) or izar (lower garment) with patches on it, that is o.k., but if he wears a woven shirt with no stitching, that is haram. 

7. One of the prohibitions of ihram that applies only to women is niqab , which refers to a veil that covers the face and leaves the eyes uncovered, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade that. A similar prohibition applies to the burqa’. When a woman enters ihram, she should not wear a niqab or burqa’ . It is prescribed for her to leave her face uncovered except when a non-mahram man passes by her, when she must cover her face and it does not matter if this cover touches her face.

Hikmah ihram
- to show a state of purity
- spiritual relationship with god established
- to test our iman and patience not to break ihram's rule