Ihram is two piece unstitched piece of cloth and it is undesirable to wear stitched or patched ihram. For women it is not allowed to wear any kind of makeup when you wear your ihram. Do not lie down in a way that your face or head touches the pillow.
Sandals are the only permitted shoes to wear with Ihram. You can use any sandals, including flip-flops, as long as the tops of your feet are visible. Some groups believe that women may wear socks with their sandals. You can have a small bag to carry necessities, as long as it isn't pinned to your clothes.
Packing List and Tips for Hajj & Umrah
- Ahram.
- Towel.
- An Umbrella.
- Pair of Sleepers.
- Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste mouth wash if necessary.
- Shampoo & Soap.
- Few packs of biscuits and other dry food items.
- Packet of tissues and Toilet Tissue Roll.
There are 4 primary steps of Umrah:
- Ihram: Enter into Ihram by washing your body and wearing Ihram and declare the intention to make the pilgrimage.
- Tawaf: Enter Al Masjid Al Haram (Holy Mosque) and perform Tawaf – circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
Following are the permissible in the state of ihram: It is allowed to male pilgrims to use safety pins and clip to tie their one side of ihram with other so that it does not fall from shoulder. They can also use money belt and even ordinary stitched belt.
Muslims are forbidden from engaging in sexual intercourse, cutting their hair or trimming nails while in ihram. It is also forbidden for pilgrims to argue, fight or lose their tempers during the Hajj.
Women should dress conservatively in long, loose-fitting clothing, and cover their hair with a hijab rather than a loose scarf. Once they enter Ihram, and before performing the sacred rites, men may no longer wear sewn clothing.
Hajj packing list – Ladies Hajj wear
- Light Cotton t-shirt (half sleeves or sleeveles)
- Light Cotton tank tops.
- A full length cotton gown or maxi.
- Comfortable pyjamas or trousers.
- Cotton tights are also worn very commonly but I personally feel that they are not so airy and can be really difficult to pull up after a shower especially in the public baths!
The Hajj is a major financial commitment for many Muslims around the world. The low-cost Hajj for 2015 will run someone a minimum of $800 and up to $1,350, a price mandated by the Saudi hajj ministry.
A man who has completed the Hajj is called a Hajji, a woman who has completed it is called a Hajjah. At the end of the Hajj, Muslims from all over the world celebrate the holiday known as the Eid ul Adha or Festival of the sacrifice.
Can umrah be performed with socks on? Although umrah is nafl but the condition of Ihram is foremost. Should you wear footwear it isn't prohibited in the condition of ihram, but it's best to wear the v shaped beach sandals, which leave the top, the instep, exposed.
White ihram clothing is intended to make everyone appear the same, to signify that in front of God there is no difference between a prince and a pauper. Ihram also contributes to a feeling of unity that pilgrims have when they are in the city of Mecca, that they are all brothers and sisters joined to worship Allah.
Maintaining personal hygiene, bathing regularly, and washing hands well by using water and soap, or other disinfectants used for handwashing, especially after coughing and sneezing. In case there are no handkerchiefs at hand, use the upper arms rather than hands.
No minor (under 18 years of age) will be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by his family. Minors travelling one parent must submit a notrized letter of authorization, in either in Arabic or English, signed by both parents or legal guardians.
No. Although Christians and Jews believe in the God of Abraham, they are not allowed to perform the hajj. Indeed, the government of Saudi Arabia forbids all non-Muslims from entering the holy city of Mecca at all. Pilgrims must book their hajj trip through a Saudi government–approved hajj travel agent.
One of the rituals of Hajj requires the absence of menstruation. In the current modern era, many females utilise oral contraception to manipulate their menstrual cycle so that the pilgrim can be menses free during the main rituals of Hajj. However, many such females are at risk of breakthrough bleeding.
A mahram is an unmarriageable kin with whom marriage or sexual intercourse would be considered haram, illegal in Islam, or people from whom purdah or concealment of the body with hijab is not obligatory or legal escorts of a woman during journey longer than a day and night, 24 hours.
Jilbab- garment that may be worn like a dress, usually with trousers underneath. Dupatta- a long rectangular scarf usually worn over the shoulders in front of the neck, or however you prefer. Women will sometimes use a dupatta over their head for a hijab. Scarf or veil - the head covering worn by many Muslim women.
Muslims believe that Abraham—known as Ibrahim in the Islamic tradition—and his son, Ismail, constructed the Kaaba. Tradition holds that it was originally a simple unroofed rectangular structure. The Quraysh tribe, who ruled Mecca, rebuilt the pre-Islamic Kaaba in c. 608 CE with alternating courses of masonry and wood.
Different conditions exist for air travelers, who must observe Ihram once entering a specific perimeter in the city. Umrah requires Muslims to perform two key rituals, Tawaf and Sa'i. Umrah is sometimes considered the "lesser pilgrimage", in that it is not compulsory, but is still highly recommended.
During the Hajj and Umrah, Muslims are to go around the Kaaba (the most sacred site in Islam) seven times, in a counterclockwise direction; the first three circuits at a hurried pace on the outer part of the crowd, followed by four times closer to the Kaaba at a leisurely pace.
