Ihram is a state in which a pilgrim for Hajj or Umrah once enters, must abide by certain rules; otherwise
that pilgrim's Hajj or Umrah can be voided, depending on the kind of violation being made during the period
of Ihram. The period of Ihram for Hajj extends over a few days, whereas the period of Ihram for Umrah can
extend from a few hours to more than a day, depending on the location point of Meeqat and the time it takes
to complete the Manasik of Umrah.
A pilgrim starts Ihram from the Meeqat point. There are several Meeqat points for people coming from different
direction towards Makkah. Each direction has a definite Meeqat location where a pilgrim stops and declares the
intention for Hajj or Umrah. For the resident people of Makkah, their Meeqat point is the location called "Attan'eem"
on which the Masjid of Aisha was built. This Meeqat is about 20 KM from the Haram of Makkah.
Before a pilgrim starts Ihram, the Sunnah is to perform a full body wash (shower) and ablution or Woddo, then
use some of the Halal perfumes. At the completion of this, brothers wear two pieces of clothes called Izaar and
Ridaa, but sisters can wear any kind of clothes they like as long as it is Islamic dress: Hijab and Jilbab.
A pilgrim once entering the state of Ihram should not do any of the following:
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| 1. |
Taking out any of the hairs from the head or any other part of the body.
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| 2. |
Covering the head for men.
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| 3. |
Having sexual intercourse with wife.
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| 4. |
Having sexual advances with wife, such as kissing or hugging with a desire to have sex.
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| 5. |
Engaging in marriage contract for self or others.
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| 6. |
Wearing any perfume.
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| 7. |
Wearing any threaded clothes other than Ridaa and Izaar for men. |
| 8. |
Clipping nails.
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| 9. |
Hunting animals or birds.
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| 10. |
Killing any animals, except to remove expected harms.
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| 11. |
Committing sins.
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| 12. |
Arguing. |