Mistakes in Ihraam

08/09/2010| IslamWeb

Worshipping Allah The Almighty alone is the purpose of our existence and the sole means of attaining happiness and felicity in the two worlds. The more efforts the slave exerts in worshipping Allah The Almighty and the more perfectly he fulfills his acts of worship, the closer he gets to Allah The Almighty. As a result, Allah The Almighty will love him, bring him closer to Him and raise his ranks in the most exalted of company and places.

Before undertaking any act of worship the slave must learn the correct  manner of  performing it and understand its rulings. Allah The Almighty described the followers of His Messenger, , by saying that they possess insight in the actions they undertake. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me….."} [Quran 12:108] The insight here refers to knowledge and understanding. It is a grave sin and a form of negligence when the slave worships Allah The Almighty while he is ignorant about a particular act of worship, although he is perfectly capable of removing this ignorance and enlightening his insight in the religion of Allah The Almighty.

In order to fulfill our duty towards making the Muslim Ummah (nation) aware of the obligations that Allah The Almighty has imposed on it -- out of which Hajj is undoubtedly one of the most important obligations -- we have established this section exclusively focusing on Hajj on our website. We have included herein the mistakes that some pilgrims commit while they are performing the rituals of Hajj or ‘Umrah. This article, or list of mistakes, is intended to alert the pilgrims who may commit these mistakes out of negligence or ignorance. We ask Allah The Almighty to accept our righteous deeds and forgive our mistakes and shortcomings.

At the beginning of this endeavor, readers must be notified that some of the information regarding religious issues that we have mentioned here is such that there is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding them. In such cases, we have indicated the preponderant opinion, from our point of view, based on confirming evidence. In certain cases, out of keenness that the pilgrim performs the most meritorious acts and fulfills his obligations in the best possible manner during Hajj, we have mentioned certain opinions that are lesspreferable, wherever applicable.

Mistakes in Ihraam (sacral state)

• To pass beyond the Meeqaat (the singular of Mawaaqeet: certain places from where pilgrims are required to assume Ihraam) without assuming Ihraam.

It is obligatory for the one who intends to enter Makkah for Hajj or ‘Umrah to assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat. The pilgrim is not permitted to pass it (the Meeqaat) without assuming Ihraam even if he does not find the clothes for Ihraam.  In such a case, he wears only the necessary clothes to cover his body, such as trousers, and takes off unnecessary clothes, such as the a turban and similar clothes. As soon as he finds the Ihraam clothes thereafter, he has to wear them and he is responsible for paying Fidyah (compensation).

• Believing that Ihraam means merely putting on the Ihraam clothes.

This is a mistake, because having the intention to start the rituals of Hajj or ‘Umrah is a pre-requisite for Ihraam. Therefore, if the pilgrim makes his intention to assume Ihraam in his heart, even if he does not wear the Ihraam clothes, his Ihraam will be valid and he will be responsible for paying Fidyah.

• Believing that performing two Rak‘ahs (units of prayer) before Ihraam is a must for a valid Ihraam.

This is a mistake, because the correct view is that these two Rak‘ahs are an act of Sunnah (tradition) according to the consensus of the different schools of jurisprudence. Consequently, the pilgrim who performs these two Rak‘ahs is rewarded while the one who does not perform them is not sinful.

• Applying perfume to the Ihraam clothes before assuming Ihraam.

This is a mistake, because the Sunnah is to apply perfume to the body only before entering the state of Ihraam. As for the Ihraam clothes, they should not be perfumed. If the pilgrim perfumes the Ihraam, he should not wear it unless it is washed first.

• Believing that performing Ghusl (ritual bath) or ablution before assuming Ihraam is obligatory.

This is a mistake, because doing so is just recommended. If the pilgrim puts on Ihraam with neither Ghusl nor ablution, his Ihraam will be valid.

• Ignorance about the places determined by Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation) from where one must assume Ihraam or taking this matter lightly, particularly by some pilgrims who come by planes.

The pilgrim is required to assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat or any place adjacent to it. If he is unsure about the exact place of the Meeqaat, he will have to put on Ihraam before the Meeqaat out of prudence. It is absolutely forbidden for him to pass the Meeqaat without assuming Ihraam, as mentioned earlier.

• Some pilgrims uncover their right shoulders as soon as they assume Ihraam from the Meeqaat. This is called Idhtibaa‘.

This is against the Sunnah of the Prophet, because he did so only during Tawaaf Al-Qudoom (Circumambulation for Arrival) and that too, for the ‘Umrah. After Tawaaf, the pilgrim is required to draw his garment over his shoulders all through the rest of the rituals of his Hajj or ‘Umrah.

• Some pilgrims think that it is impermissible to change or wash the Ihraam clothes.

This is a mistake, because it is permissible to do so.

• Some people think that it is impermissible to wear any type of form-fitting items. Hence, some pilgrims refrain from wearing shoes, belts, etc.

Rather, form-fitting clothes which are forbidden to be worn in the state of Ihraam are clothes which are made to fit the different body organs, such as the trousers, shirts, etc.

• Some people believe that a menstruating woman is not permitted to assume Ihraam and that it is permissible for her to pass the Meeqaat without assuming Ihraam.

This is a mistake, because the correct view is that menstruation or post-partum bleeding does not prevent the woman from assuming Ihraam. Rather, she is required to assume Ihraam, but she does not circumambulate the Ka‘bah unless she is in a state of ritual purity.

• Some women think that Ihraam necessitates certain clothes or certain colors.

Rather, the woman is permitted to start Ihraam with her ordinary (Sharee`ah approved) clothes. She is only required to take off the Niqaab (face-veil) and the gloves.

• Some people think that one has to avoid the actions that are forbidden during Ihraam as soon as he takes a bath.

This is a mistake, because this starts as soon as one makes his intention to assume Ihraam.

• Some people think that it is impermissible to comb one's hair for fear that it is one of the actions forbidden in Ihraam. However, it is permissible to do so.