Ihram: Difference between revisions

Entering the state of '''iḥrām''' ({{ia|الإحرام}}) is the first obligation in [[hajj]] and [['umra]]. The person in the state is called '''muhrim'''. The issues pertaining to ihram are divided into four groups:

# Mustahabb deeds of ihram;

# Makruh acts of ihram.

Saying labbayk while wearing ihram is just like the takbīrat al-ihram in prayer. When a pilgrim says labbayk, he becomes muhrim and is now prepared to perform the rites of 'umra.  

If one says only this, his ihram is correct, however on the basis of mustahabb caution, one should say these mentioned talbiyas following the above talbiya:

Saying talbiya once is obligatory but it is mustahabb that one repeats it as much as possible for him. It is obligatory for a person to pronounce talbiya correctly. Thus, if a person can learn the pronunciation exactly or somebody may say it word by word so that he says it correctly but he ignores these steps and pronounces it in a wrong way, it would not be enough. But if he cannot learn it due to shortage of time and he cannot say it correctly with somebody dictating, he should pronounce it in any possible way and it is based on caution that he should appoint a representative to say it on his behalf.

One of the cloths (loincloth) is fastened around waist, while with the other piece of cloth the shoulders should be covered. These two pieces of cloth should be worn after taking off all those clothes that are prohibited for a muhrim. On the basis of obligatory caution, one should wear these pieces of cloth before making intention of ihram and recitation of talbiya. It is not a condition that the loincloth covers the navel and the knees; it is sufficient that it is called loincloth and like those usually used for ihram. It is not allowed to fasten the loincloth around the neck. However, there is no objection to fasten it using a pin or fastening its one part with the other unless it is not called loincloth any more. Likewise, fastening the shawl with a pin, a clip or by using small pebbles on both sides and fastening it with a thread in a common and well-known way is no problem, as long as it is called rida' (shawl). It is based on obligatory caution that one should wear the two cloths with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah Almighty.

==Mustahabb Acts of Ihram==

It is recommended that body is pure before wearing ihram, the extra hair of body is removed and nails are cut off. Brushing teeth is also recommended before wearing ihram. It is also mustahabb to take ghusl before entering in the state of ihram at miqat. It is said that on cautionary basis this ghusl should not be neglected. Furthermore, it is recommended that one wears ihram after an obligatory noon-prayer or after any obligatory prayer or after offering a two-rak'ah prayer. It is mentioned in some hadiths that one offers six rak'ahs of recommended prayers as such prayers have great significance/reward.

==Makruh Acts of Ihram==

Ihram with black, dirty, and striped dresses is makruh. It is better to wear white colour in state of ihram.

Likewise, it is makruh to sleep on a yellow mattress or sleeps putting yellow pillow under one's head in state of ihram. Using henna before wearing ihram, in case its color would remain until wearing ihram, is also makruh. It is also makruh to say 'labbayk' in response to someone's calling. Taking ghusl and rubbing the body with rough cloth is also considered makruh.

On the basis of obligatory caution, a person in ihram should avoid wearing a ring if it is considered as adornment. If wearing a ring is not for the purpose of adornment rather as a mustahabb act or for other purposes, it is not objectionable. Wearing a ring in the state of ihram does not result in kaffara.

In state of ihram, if a person touches his/her head and any of his hair falls down, on the basis on mustahabb caution, he/she should give a handful of wheat, flour, or the like as alms.

On the basis of obligatory caution, a person in state of ihram should not do anything that may cause bleeding. There is no objection in getting injection in state of ihram. However if it results in bleeding, one should avoid doing so except for urgent situations. On the basis of obligatory caution, in state of ihram one should refrain from extracting one's tooth if it causes bleeding; emergency situation is an exception. Bleeding does not result in kaffara, however it is mustahabb to slaughter a sheep.  

In state of ihram, sexual intercourse or any other sexual enjoyment with wife for a muhram man or with husband in case of muhrim women such as patting, kissing, or looking lustfully at her/him is prohibited. Husband and wife are allowed to look at each other or touch each other's hand without lustful intentions. The people who are mahram for a person such as father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt etc. remain mahram even in this state of ihram.

Ihram is the very first obligation of hajj. Ihram of hajj is the same as the ihram of [['umra]] in terms of quality, conditions, rules, kaffara, and prohibited things. The difference lies only with intention i.e. one should become muhrim with the intention of performing the rituals of hajj. All aspects about ihram for 'umra hold equal validity for ihram of hajj. Ihram starts with making intention and saying [[talbiya]]. However, ihram of hajj has its certain characteristics which will be mentioned below.

The [[miqat]] of ihram for [[hajj al-tamattu']] is the holy city of Mecca. It is better that a person becomes muhrim in the holy [[Masjid al-Haram]]. To become muhrim in any place in the holy city of Mecca is valid even in the newly built areas. There is a caution to become muhrim in the old places of the city. However, if a person doubts whether this place is within the holy city of Mecca or not, it is incorrect to become muhrim in it.

It is obligatory to become muhrim early enough to reach the land of [['Arafat]] on the [[9th of Dhu l-Hijja]] by noon. The best time for wearing ihram is at the noon on the [[8th of Dhu l-Hijja]] (the day of Tarwiya). It is permissible to wear ihram before that time especially for the old and sick people who are afraid of crowd. Those who need urgently to exit the holy city of Mecca may also wear their ihram before the mentioned time.

If a person forgets to wear ihram and goes to [[Mina]] and [['Arafat]], it is obligatory for him to go back to the holy city of Mecca and become muhrim. If this is impossible due to shortage of time or any other excuse, he can wear ihram in the place of remembrance and his hajj would be valid. The same ruling applies to a person who is unaware of the rule. If a person forgets to wear ihram and he/she finishes the rituals of hajj, his/her hajj would be valid. The same ruling applies to a person who does not know the rule. However, on the basis of mustahabb caution, they may perform hajj the next year again.  

If a person neglects ihram consciously and deliberately until he misses [[wuquf at 'Arafat|wuquf (stay) at 'Arafat]] and [[Mash'ar]], his hajj is void.

A person, who is allowed to perform the rites of Mecca before the wuquf at 'Arafat and [[Mash'ar]], should perform these deeds in state of ihram. In case, they perform them without ihram, they should repeat the acts of worship in state of ihram.