The rituals of Hajj and Umrah are a profound faith and spiritual journey for Muslims, characterized by many rituals and acts of worship. This devotional journey begins with ihram, which is considered one of the most important duties of this worship, and ihram is a sacred state of purity and closeness to Allah. During the Ihram period, pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims must comply with specific rules and regulations, to ensure complete focus on worship and spiritual contemplation. So in the following lines we will discuss prohibitions during ihram.
Ihram prohibitions
When a Muslim enters ihram, whether for Hajj or Umrah, and enters the state of ihram, there are prohibitions during ihram to him as long as he is entering into the ritual. Scholars call these matters “prohibitions during ihram,” and they are divided into three categories: The first category includes ihram prohibitions for women and men that they participate in. Both, while the second category includes ihram prohibitions for men only, while the third and final category includes ihram prohibitions for women.
Ihram prohibitions for women and men
There are a group of actions that are considered prohibitions during ihram for both women and men, and Muslims must commit to not doing them. Among the prohibitions during ihram for women and men that can be mentioned are:
- Cutting or shaving hair: One of the most well-known ihram prohibitions for women and men, as men and women are prohibited from cutting or shaving any hair on their bodies, including the hair of the head, face, and body.
- Nail trimming: Nail trimming is considered one of the forbidden things in ihram for women and men as well. Therefore, it is recommended to trim the nails before starting ihram and performing the rituals of Hajj or Umrah.
- Using perfume on clothes or the body: Using perfume and perfumes, whether on clothes or on the body, is considered one of the prohibitions during ihram. However, if a Muslim uses perfume before entering ihram and allows its smell to remain on his body, then this is not considered one of the prohibitions of ihram.
- Marriage contract: It is not permissible for a person in ihram to get married, to perform a marriage contract for someone else, or to get engaged until he exits ihram. It was stated in the hadith of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, which was narrated by Muslim: (A person in ihram may not marry, nor may he be married, nor may he be engaged).
- Intercourse: Intercourse is considered one of the greatest prohibitions during ihram for men and women, and it is the only prohibition that is considered a spoiler for Hajj.
- Hunting: It is not permissible to hunt any wild animal that can be eaten, such as rabbits, deer, and others.
- It is also not permissible for a person in ihram to participate in the hunting process in any way, even by pointing.
- Hunting is considered one of the prohibitions of Ihram for both men and women because it is strictly forbidden to participate and engage in any form of hunting and to kill animals, even by eating them.
Ihram prohibitions for men
Men are subject to a number of prohibitions during ihram that are not considered a spoilage for women, as men are forbidden from doing two of the prohibited things in the ihram that are not binding on women, which are:
1-Wearing tailored clothing: It is forbidden for men to wear clothing that is tailored to the shape of body parts, such as shirts, pants, and socks. Tightening the waist with a belt or rope is not considered a prohibition in ihram for men.
2-Covering the head with something attached: It is prohibited for men to cover their heads with an attached item such as a hat, turban, ghutra, or similar items that are placed directly on the head.
However, it is permissible to cover the head with a covering that rises above the head, such as an umbrella, and this is not considered one of the prohibitions of Ihram.
Ihram prohibitions for women
In addition to the prohibitions during ihram common to men and women, there are some guidelines specific to women. prohibitions during ihram for women include the following:
- Covering the face: It is not considered obligatory for women to uncover their faces during Ihram. However, women are prohibited from wearing the niqab or burqa that covers the entire face. Women must also wear the hijab (head covering) in a loose and modest manner, ensuring modesty and allowing the face to be seen.
- Wearing makeup and perfumes: Women in Ihram are prohibited from using makeup and perfumes during the Ihram period. Scholars believe that the use of cosmetics and aromatic scents contradicts the spirit of simplicity and purity embodied in Ihram.
- Covering the hands and face during prayer: If a woman usually covers her face and hands during prayer, she must refrain from doing so while in ihram. This is intended to be consistent with the principle of modesty without unnecessary adornment.
By abstaining from prohibitions during ihram for men and women, and adhering to the spirit of simplicity and spirituality, those in ihram, whether for Hajj or Umrah, can fully immerse themselves in worship. Through these commitments, the true essence of worship is achieved.
Tips before entering ihram
Ihram clothing is considered one of the basic necessities for Ihram. After wearing these clothes, a person is considered to have entered the Ihram period, whether he intends to perform Hajj or Umrah.
This entails abstaining from the prohibitions of Ihram for men and women alike. Important advice for an individual preparing to perform Hajj or Umrah is to prepare for ihram by taking the following measures:
- Shaving the head: It is recommended to shave the head and enter ihram with a suitable hair length, so that the pilgrim in ihram will avoid having to shave or shorten the hair during the ihram period.
- Cutting nails: It is recommended to cut nails before ihram so that the pilgrim in ihram avoids the need to cut them during the ihram period, as cutting nails is considered one of the spoilers of ihram for men and women.
- Bathing: It is recommended that the pilgrim in ihram perform ablution before wearing the ihram clothes, in order to maintain personal hygiene before wearing the ihram clothes.
- Wearing ihram clothes.
- Prepare a small bag containing the necessary medications.
- Use an umbrella, especially when entering ihram for Hajj, to avoid sunstroke.
- Pay attention to personal hygiene and take care of the cleanliness of food and drink.
- Avoid exposure to the sun for long periods, and stay away from crowded places as much as possible.
- Take adequate rest and sleep, as some rituals require physical effort.
- Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing.
- Drink plenty of fluids on hot days, especially on the Day of Arafat
- Consult a doctor if you feel any health symptoms.
Conclusion
At the end of the text, there are many prohibitions during ihram related to both men and women, and therefore, through the previous paragraphs, we discussed all of prohibitions during ihram in detail, so that the person in ihram is aware of all the details.
