Ihram - Meaning and Preparation

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

When a haji pronounces the Niyyah (intention) of Hajj and Umrah and utters Talbiyah, certain halaal (permissible) things become haraam for him. This combined action (Niyyah and Talbiyah) is called Ihram.

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.

Preparations 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 the 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 your forgiveness. “

Ihram Sheets. 

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 the middle bones of the upper part of the feet are not covered.

Nafl Salah. 

If it is not makruh (undesirable) time, offer two rakahs of nafl for Ihram. Recite Surah Kafiroon in 1st and Surah Ikhlas in 2nd Rakah.