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Millions of Muslims practice Umrah by religiously performing the pilgrimage to Makkah each year. Ihram is a mode of dressing for Muslims who are performing pilgrimages like Umrah and Hajj. It also means purity, equality, and bowing down to Almighty Allah. This piece has a divine role to play. Keep on reading to learn about some important practices of Ihram.
Ihram is not just clothing. It is a condition in which the pilgrim enters a state of purity when proceeding for Umrah or Hajj. This cloth has a physical, emotional, and spiritual dimension. Ihram is different for males and females.
Once you get into Ihram, the aim is to cleanse yourself and become even more committed to the Creator. The clothes are about this commitment, which should not be confused with the actual process. Ensure proper coverage and good fit while keeping a puritanical and sober mind and engaging in zikr, dua, and Talbiyah.
One should start by focusing on the emotional feelings experienced when entering Ihram. One needs to have the right intention in one’s heart. Also, one should know why the act or pilgrimage is done.
Many of us are aware of what the Ihram for men look like. A piece of clothing is worn above the waist, and another piece covers the lower part of the body up to the knees. But one has to wonder how it stays in place. What is the proper method of using it? What if it drops?
Therefore, Ihram comprises two pieces of unstitched, extended, pure, and soft white-
coloured clothing prepared using light cotton fabric.
Rida (Upper garment): In terms of size, it is larger than the other and is worn over the chest part of the body. The upper garment should go over the upper part of the chest and down to the hip level. Thus, you should wear it so it just reaches the shoulder and tucks it under the opposite underarm. You can then put the rest of the cloth around the other shoulder or leave it to drape loosely.
Izar (Lower Garment): The wearer wraps a rectangular piece of cloth around the waist, similar to the ‘lungi. Ideally, it should extend down to the ankles and fit well around the stomach area.
Two unstitched white garments: It is available for sale from any Islamic retail store business or any online store.
Ihram/money belt: A plain cloth belt to minister to the needs of an average man. Avoid leather.
Sandals: Soft sand shoes that leave your ankle and toe areas exposed.
The first step is to have the right intention, or what we call Niyyah, before doing any act of worship. Get into a posture where your legs are apart and recite the Talbiyah, which says that you want to do only Umrah. Make sure you have done the ghusl.
The larger cloth is wrapped around the belly region, with coverage extending from the waist down to and below the knees but above the belly button. It is safer to secure it with a simple knot, tuck, or even the Ihram belt.
Pull a few folds over the front of the lower garment, around the waist.
Take the two ends of the wrapped fabric and roll them downwards in tight folds so that they wrap around the body.
Just for additional security during the rolling process, you can put on a simple belt halfway through step four and roll the fabric on it. Avoid wearing leather belts.
The upper garment, also called Rida, has to be draped over the lower garment properly.
Take the longer end and place it around your front. Then, drape it over the left shoulder to cover the upper part of the body. Thus, to avoid tumbling down, you can take it around the back and put it again on the right shoulder.
In contrast to men, women do not have specific Ihram clothes for their Umrah trip. Nevertheless, they require free and easily movable but lightweight and airy garments and accessories covering the whole body. You should not apply scented soap or shampoo, hand sanitizer lotion, or facial powder.
The Ministry of Hajj/Umrah updated the women’s dress code for Umrah on the 12th of 2023. They insisted that women should wear wide garments made of fabric similar to that of a man’s robe. The clothes should not have any form of decoration and should conceal the whole body, starting with the head.
There is nothing for children regarding Ihram. However, they can copy their parents’ dressing style. The boys can wear two-piece white garments like the father, while the girls can wear an abaya and hijab or any other decent outfit the mothers wear. By putting on these garments, children can feel like they are also participating in a pilgrimage.
Every Muslim is well aware of the importance of Ihram in Islam, which is the state of being in a clean spirit when a pilgrim steps forward to perform the holy journey of Hajj or Umrah. Accepting Ihram means that the pilgrim is religious, simple, and obedient to Allah by giving them a spiritual status, very detached from worldliness. Knowledge of the practices of Ihram is essential for every Muslim, and through this blog, you can discover every detail about Ihram. If you are planning to go to Umrah, look for the best Umrah travel agency UK. Umrah travel agency can make the performance of Umrah comfortable for you.
