In preparing for Umrah, it’s crucial to grasp its cultural significance within Islam. Ihram, a pivotal stage, underscores equality before the Almighty, albeit with distinct rituals for men and women. Wearing Ihram symbolizes humility, an essential aspect of pilgrimage, making it integral to the journey and prayers.
Umrah necessitates the pilgrim to forsake worldly pleasures and submit entirely to Allah, marking the initial step towards purifying the soul from past transgressions. It entails visiting the sacred Kaaba, the house of Allah, to pray in His divine presence. Prior to crossing the second boundary of Makkah, pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram, which, combined with Niyyah (pure intention to worship Allah) and Talbiyah (repeatedly extolling the glory of God), completes the Umrah ritual. Ihram serves as the foundational stage for embarking on this spiritual journey.
The boundary that distinguishes an ordinary Muslim from a pilgrim is known as Miqat. Upon donning Ihram, one crosses this boundary, aiming to avoid drawing attention from their surroundings. It emphasizes equality in the sight of the Almighty, underscoring that no one is richer or greater than God. Ihram serves to unify believers in Allah, fostering a collective devotion to worship.
There are no specific instructions for women’s attire in Ihram for Umrah, nor are there guidelines on wearing unstitched or stitched garments. The paramount rule for women during worship is to dedicate themselves to Allah while avoiding drawing attention from their surroundings, highlighting the significance of modesty in Ihram.
Ihram Attire and Rules for Women:
Women typically adhere to the following dress code in line with Islamic cultural preferences:
Women should opt for light-colored clothing for comfort. The Ihram garment for women should be thick and plain to ensure no body parts are revealed during prayer. If women wear white Abayas, their underclothing should also be white to prevent colored garments from showing through. While women have the option to wear black clothing, many choose white for its symbolic unity and cooling properties during prayer. Women are encouraged to wear a Hijab large enough to cover their entire body, symbolizing respect and providing protection from lustful gazes. Following completion of Umrah, women participate in Taqsir, a ritual where they trim an inch of their hair.
Women are prohibited from wearing a face veil or gloves and are not permitted to receive blessings from the Almighty while in Ihram.
Once in the state of Ihram, women must refrain from combing or clipping their hair to prevent hair fall.
They are forbidden from wearing jewelry, glittery clothing, cosmetics, scented oils, or perfumes, ensuring uninterrupted connection with God and avoiding distractions for others.
Women are restricted from chanting the Talbiyah loudly and must recite the prayer softly to prevent distractions for those nearby, except for their family members or mahram.
They must plan their visit according to their menstruation cycles, as menstruating women or those experiencing bleeding after childbirth are prohibited from performing the ritual or wearing Ihram.
While in Ihram, women must maintain a safe distance from unrelated men and remain with their group or mahram. Separate spaces are designated for women to perform rituals, minimizing interactions with unrelated men.
If a woman violates any of the mentioned rules for Ihram during Umrah, she is required to pay obligatory Fidya as penalties for Ihram violations.
The sacred state of Ihram serves to draw one closer to God and facilitates a successful performance of Umrah or Hajj. For women, Ihram attire aims to ensure uniformity and prevent attention-seeking, fostering humility and devotion to the pilgrimage’s purpose of surrendering to Allah. Adhering to proper dress and following guidelines from authorities and religious teachers is crucial for a peaceful and safe journey, minimizing public scrutiny. Awareness of other rules is also essential before embarking on the pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah.
