The State of Ihram

Entering the state of Ihram

·         The literal meaning of Ihram is to make haraam (forbidden).

·         When a person pronounces the Niyyah (intention) of Umrah and utters Talbiyah, certain halaal (permissible) things become haraam.

·         The two sheets that a haji wears are figuratively known as Ihram but the real Ihram is Niyyah & Talbiyah.If someone wears these two sheets and does not declare his intention and utter Talbiyah, he does not become a Muhrim.

·         That is why, before Niyyah and Talbiyah, he can cover his head during two rakaats of Nafl, an act which is not allowed in the real state of Ihram.

Ihram For Men:-

Ihram for men consists of two pieces of white, unsewn cloth One of the piece (izar) is wrapped round the midriff to cover his body from just above his navel to his ankles, and the other (Rida) is draped around his shoulders to cover the upper body.

Belt

 Ihram for Women:-

According to many hadiths, it is not necessary for a woman to wear special clothing while in a state of ihram. Women are expected to wear clothing that conceals the shape and

covers the body completely, leaving only their faces and hands exposed. According to some authors, however, gloves can be worn.

 Preparation for Ihram :-

·         Comb your hair

·         Shape the beard

·         Trim your mustache

·         Cut your nails and

·         Remove unwanted body hair

Purification:-

·         Take a bath with the intention of Ihram otherwise do wudu. Here it is noted that there are two ways of purification:

·         Purification of Body (Shower or Wudu)

·         Internal Purification (Sincere repentance on your sins. Say something like this:

·         “O ALLAH, I sincerely repent on my sins and seek you forgiveness “

Ihram Sheet:-

·         Men should wear a sheet of white cloth around the waist and cover the upper body with the other sheet.

·         Women’s ordinary clothes are their Ihram.

·         Both should wear the flip-flops (Hawai Chappal ) so that middle bones of the upper part of the feet are not covered.

Nafl Salat:-

ü  If it is not makruh (undesirable) time , offer two rakaats of nafl for Ihram by covering your heads.

ü  ‘Qul yaa ayyuhal kaafiroon ’ in the first raka’at and ‘ Qul huwallaahu ahad ‘ in the second raka’at.

Advice:-

If going to Jeddah by an airplane , it is convenient to get into the status of Ihram inside the plane. 

Intention and Talbiyah:-

Now uncover your head and declare your intention.

 allaahumma innee ureedul umrata fayassirhaalee  wataqabbalhaa minnee

Immediately after that utter the words of Talbiyah three times and as often afterwards as possible. If you don't remember it, you can say its translation in English or in any other language but Talbiah or its translation is pronounced in a loud voice by men and in a subdued voice by women.The literal meaning of Ihram is to make haraam (forbidden).

Talbiyah

 "Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk.Innal-hamda wan-n'imata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak."

·         “Here I am, O Lord, here I am,

·         You indeed have no partner, here I am

·         No Doubt, all praise and bounties are yours,

·         and so is the absolute Domain.

·         You indeed have no partners, here I am”

 Du’a

After this recite Darud Sharif and supplicate to Allah  Almighty any du'a in Arabic or in your own language.

 “Allahumma inni as'aluka razaka wa janata wa a'uzubika min ghazabika wa’nari“

Prohibitions of Ihram

After intention and Talbiyah, you are in the status of Ihram and from this time on you should not do acts that are forbidden in Ihram.

·         Cover head (men), cover face (women)

·         Cover the middle bone of the upper part of the feet (Both men and women)

·         Shave / cut hair

·         Cut nails

·         Wear perfume

·         Wear stitched clothing (men) / (Women can wear their ordinary clothes)

·         Hunting / killing

·         Sex

Journey Towards Holy Makkah

·         When this sacred journey towards Makkah al-Mukarrama starts, recite Talbiyah frequently on the way.

·         Then enter the city very humbly and with great fondness still reciting Talbiyah.After arranging for your residence, proceed to the Haram Sharif to perform Umrah.

·         Ihram: You should be already in Ihram for Umrah before entering Mecca as mentioned above.

MECCA & HARAM

Entering Masjid al-Haram

While reciting Talbiyah, enter Masjid al-Haram preferable through Bab as-Salam with right foot first.

bismillaahi wassalaatu wassalaamu alaa rasoolillaah

Allaahummaftah lee abwaaba rahmatik

HARAM

First Sight

At the first sight of Ka’bah keep your eyes fixed at Baitullah and standing at one side, it is suggested that you do the following:-

Say three times

 “Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha IllAllah”

Proclaim Darud on our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and very humbly with tears supplicate to ALLAH for whatever you wish. This is a special time for acceptance of prayers .

‏First‏ Sight…

·         The idea is to praise and glorify your Creator before proclaiming Darud and supplications.

·         Therefore, in lieu of Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illallah. You may recite some other similar holy verses if you desire .

·         After this , while uttering Talbiyah . Move to perform Tawaf of Ka’bah.

Restrictions while in the Haram

Every good deed or bad deed is multiplied by 100,000 times

·         Its plants must not cut

·         Its game must not be frightened,

·         Articles lost in it must not be picked up except by someone making announcement to find the owner,

·         Nor is any man to bear arms for fighting in it.

·         These restrictions apply to the Haram of Madinah as well.

·         They apply to everyone, whether in a state of Ihraam or not, during any time of the year