Assuming Ihram or entering the state of Ihram is the first essential element to Performing Umrah. This article talks about what you should do before you enter the state of Ihram, the procedure for Ihram and restrictions while in the state of Ihram.
When you are traveling to perform Umrah, you must enter the state of Ihram before you cross the Miqat / Meeqat. If you are traveling by air, you can wear the Ihram at home, at the Airport or the plane (You can do the Procedure for Ihram without the Intention for Umrah). If you are traveling by bus, then you can wear the Ihram and get into the state of Ihram before crossing the Meeqat. There are 5 Meeqat points and one cannot pass the Meeqat points without assuming Ihram.
- Zul-Hulaifah – If you are traveling from the direction of Madinah Sharif.
- Yalamlam – If you are traveling from the direction of Yemen, India and Pakistan.
- Juhfah – If you are traveling from the direction of Egypt, North Africa and Europe.
- Qaran ul-Manazil – If you are traveling from the direction of Najd.
- Zaat Irq – If you are traveling from the direction of Iraq.
Note* If one crosses the Meeqat without entering the state of Ihram, then they must return to it, follow the Procedure for Ihram and assume Ihram before they proceed to perform Umrah. If one cannot return to the Meeqat to assume the state of Ihram, the redemption is that they sacrifice a sheep and distribute it to the poor at the Masjid Al Haram.
What you should do before you get into the state of Ihram
Trim facial hair, remove body hair and clip your nails, comb your hair. (It is not a necessary to get a haircut but this is entirely up to you.)
Take a shower (Ghusl) or perform Wudu to wash away dirt from body. Purify your heart, by asking for Allah’s forgiveness.
Use perfume on body.
Note: You can get into the state of Ihram at home or you can get into the state of Ihram before reaching the Meeqat.
The Ihram consists of 2 unsewn or unstitched white sheets. Rida – that is used to cover the upper body and the Izar – to cover the lower body. The head should not be covered.
(Coming soon – how to wear Ihram)
Women can continue to wear their sewn or stitched clothes. The head should be covered but not the face and hands.
Both men and women can wear flip flops or sandals that does not cover the upper part of their feet.
Upon wearing the Ihram, if it is not Makruh (undesirable time), perform two raka‘ats of nafl with the intention of Ihram keeping the head covered.
In the first raka’at, recite ‘Surah Al Kafiroon’
In the second raka’at, recite ‘Surah Al Ikhlaas’
Uncover your head and make the Niyyah / intention.
Umrah Duas before making the Niyyah or Intention for Umrah
Allaahumma innee ureedul umrata fayassirhaa lee wataqabbalhaa minnee
Meaning of the Du’a: O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Next, make the Niyyah for Umrah.
Umrah Dua for making the Niyyah or Intention for Umrah also known as the Talbiyah
Labbaik Allaahumma ‘Umrah
Meaning of the Du’a: Here I am O Allah, making Umrah
Repeat this three times.
You are now in the state of Ihram.
See a list of All Basic Umrah Duas
Enter the holy city in remembrance of Allah. Recite the Talbiyah as many times as it is possible until you start the Tawaf. The Talbiyah should be recited individually.
Forbidden / Prohibited acts while in Ihram
- Do not shave or trim hair from any part of the body.
- Do not clip nails.
- You cannot use perfumes or any fragrance on body or the Ihram clothes.
- Men should not cover their head.
- Men should not wear any stitched clothes.
- Do not indulge in intimate relationship or lust
- Unlawful acts such as obscenity, anger, fight, etc. should be avoided.
- Do not hunt animals
- Do not cause harm verbally or physically to anybody
