Here is a common mistake made by many people and it has to be pointed out; some people mistakenly believe that they have to take a ritual bath before assuming ihram, arguing that this is not possible while being in a plane and so on. Therefore, it is important to point out that ihram means declaring the intention to perform the rites of Hajj or ‘Umrah, avoiding the acts prohibited to be done while being in a state of ihram as much as possible. As for washing, wearing perfumes, and the like, they are acts of the Sunnah which a Muslim can do before getting on board the plane, and assuming ihram without observing them is permissible. So, a plane passenger can make the intention to assume ihram and recite talbiyah while being in his/her seat once the plane is over any of the known sites for ihram or just before it.
This is known by asking the pilots or the hostesses of the plane, or trying to find it out independently through investigation and estimation. Thus, one would have done ones utmost in this regard. However, if one does not care, it will be considered an inexcusable negligence and indifference regarding one of the prerequisites of Hajj and ‘Umrafi, namely ihram, which may invalidate them.
Ihram Clothing and Rules for Mikat
Ihram Clothing and Rules for Mikat: One must wear the Ihram clothes either at the designated place (Mikat) or before reaching Mikat. During this time, men wear two new or clean white cloths. One is worn like a lungi (a traditional cloth worn around the waist), and the other is used as a shawl. They should wear sandals or shoes that leave the upper part of the feet exposed. Women may wear their regular clothes, and they are allowed to wear shoes or socks during Ihram. However, they are not allowed to wear a niqab (face veil).
Ali (RA) prohibited women from wearing the niqab during Ihram, but advised that they should cover their faces with a cloth (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith no. 14539; Adillat al-Hijab 329-334; Nayl al-Awtar 5/71 Manasik 115, Fath al-Bari 3/475; Ilam al-Mu'akkikin 1/122-123).
Rules for Children in Ihram: For children who do not have the discernment of right and wrong:
If a child is unaware of purity or impurity, their guardians should make the intention on their behalf for Ihram, Umrah, and Hajj.
If the child is a boy, they should be made to wear a cloth without seams, and if a girl, she should wear the prescribed attire for women.
The guardian should recite the Talbiyah (the prayer of intent) on their behalf. Thus, the child will be considered a Muhrim (one in Ihram).
For a child who has discernment:
If a child has the ability to understand purity and impurity, they may make the intention for Ihram with the permission of their guardian, and they should follow the same rules that adults follow during Ihram.
If it is not a disliked time, they should perform two rakats of Nafl prayer before making the intention and reciting the Talbiyah. It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakat and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second rakat (The child should wear a cap during prayer, and it should be removed before making the intention).
Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated: When the Prophet (SAW) departed from Medina for Hajj, he reached Dhul-Hulayfah and performed two rakats of prayer. After that, when his camel stood up, he recited the Talbiyah. (Sahih Muslim: 1/376)
Intention for Ihram: After wearing the Ihram clothes, one must make the intention (niyyah) for Ihram. If it is for Umrah, one should say, "Labbayka Umratan," and if for Hajj, one should say, "Labbayka Hajj-an."
Then, for the ease of performing Hajj or Umrah, Imam al-Kuduri (RA) recommended the following supplication: “Allahumma inni urid-ul-Umrata/Hajj-a fayassir-ru li wa taqabbal-hu minni.” Translation: O Allah! I intend to perform Umrah/Hajj; make it easy for me and accept it from me.
Forbidden Acts During Ihram:
1. Men are not allowed to wear stitched clothes. Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) reported that a man asked the Prophet (SAW) what kind of clothes a Muhrim (person in Ihram) could wear. The Prophet (SAW) replied, “No shirts, trousers, pyjamas, hats, or socks. However, if there is no alternative, leather socks can be worn cut below the ankle.” (Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Hadith no. 372)
2. Physical relations between husband and wife are forbidden while in Ihram, as well as any words or actions related to it.
3. Hunting or assisting in hunting animals is prohibited while in Ihram. Allah says in the Qur'an, "Hunting is prohibited for you while in Ihram." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:96)
4. Cutting nails, hair, or removing body hair is prohibited. Ata, Tawus, and Mujahid (RA) mentioned that if a Muhrim removes hair from under their arms or cuts their nails, they must offer a compensatory sacrifice (Fidya). (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith no. 13604)
5. Using perfume, oil, soap, or any kind of beautifying substances is strictly prohibited. A narration from Yahya ibn Umayya (RA) mentions that a man approached the Prophet (SAW) in a saffron-scented robe. The Prophet (SAW) instructed him to remove the scent and the robe. (Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, p. 373)
6. Arguing or fighting is strictly prohibited. Islam is a religion of peace, and fighting or quarrelling is forbidden during Ihram. Allah says in the Qur'an, "There is no obscenity, no disobedience, and no fighting during Hajj." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197)
7. Killing insects or pests like lice, mosquitoes, etc., is prohibited. Killing any insects while in Ihram is not allowed; they should only be driven away. (Ad-Durr al-Mukhtar 2/486-490; Fatwa Hindiyya 1/224; Manasik 117-120; Gunyat al-Nasik 85)
The Rules for Reciting Talbiyah: Reciting Talbiyah is obligatory from the moment of Ihram until the Tawaf (circumambulation) begins. The Talbiyah is as follows: “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la sharika laka Labbayk. Inna al-hamda wa-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.” Translation: Here I am at Your service, O Allah! Here I am at Your service. There is no partner with You, here I am at Your service. Indeed, all praise, blessings, and sovereignty belong to You, and You have no partner.
Rules for Men and Women Regarding Talbiyah:
Men should recite the Talbiyah aloud.
Women should recite it softly.
Regardless of the voice volume, reciting Talbiyah holds great importance for both men and women.
Miqat for Ihram:
The miqat[1] (Arabic: مِيْقَات, romanized: mīqāt, lit. 'a stated place') is a principal boundary at which Muslim pilgrims intending to perform the Ḥajj or ʿUmrah must enter the state of iḥrām (lit. 'prohibition'), a state of consecration in which certain permitted activities are made prohibited.
There are five mawāqīt (مَوَاقِيْت). Four of these were defined by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. One was defined by the second Rashidun caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, to fulfill the needs of pilgrims from the newly annexed regions in Mesopotamia.
Expiation for violation of the rulings of ihram"
If he has sexual intercourse with someone while he is in ihram, his ihram will be broken. Hajj/Umrah will be completely canceled. But he still has to complete all the other rules of Hajj/Umrah and he has to do a fidaya/dum (animal slaughter) in the Haram area as expiation and sincerely seek forgiveness from Allah. Again later he has to come for Hajj / Umrah or again Hajj / Umrah.
Whoever compelles someone to do something forbidden while he is in ihram, or for any other reason, compelled to do something that is forbidden while he is in ihram, he does not have to pay any fidaya.
If you have a dream while in ihram, it will not spoil the ihram. The impurity should be washed and cleaned through obligatory bathing. For this, it is better to have an additional ihram cloth.
Crossing the Miqat without Ihram:
Those who come to Jeddah to perform Hajj or `Umrah should enter ihram from the miqat (place at which one must enter ihram). If they pass it without entering ihram, then they have to go back to it and enter ihram from there. If they do not do that and they enter ihram from Jeddah, then they have to slaughter a sheep and distribute its meat to the poor in Makkah.
In this regard, Sheikh Abdul-`Aziz ibn Baz, the late Mufti of Saudi Arabia, stated: “They have to go back to their miqat if they were coming for Hajj or `Umrah. It is not permissible for them to pass the miqat without entering ihram, because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) defined the miqat for the people of Madinah, Syria, Najd, and Yemen, etc., he said, ‘These are for them [their people] and for anyone who is not of their people who come to them, wanting to do Hajj or `Umrah.’
If they pass the miqat and do not go back, and enter ihram after that, then they have to offer a sacrifice. Similarly if they are unable to go back, they should enter ihram from the place they are in and they have to slaughter an animal that meets the conditions of sacrifice and distribute its meat among the poor in Makkah.”
Death while in the state of Ihram:
When a man fell from his vehicle and died in the field of 'Arafah, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered him to wear a shroud in both the garments of ihram and not to apply khushob on his body. He asked her to take a bath with large leaves and water (mixed with hot water). He was forbidden to cover his face and head. He also informed that Allah will revive the Companion on the Day of Resurrection while he was reciting the Talbiyah. Analyzing this case, there are twelve commandments. Namely-
1. It is wajib to give bath to the deceased.
2. A believer is not impure because he dies. Because if you are impure by falling into the face of death, bathing will not remove its impurity.
3. The dead person should be bathed with large leaves and water.
4. Due to the fall of holy things in water, the color of the water changes, but its purity is not lost. Because in the hadith, it has been ordered to mix large leaves with water.
5. It is permissible for a Muhrim person to take a ghusl.
6. It is not permissible for a Muhrim person to use water and plum leaves.
7. Priority should be given to burial before paying the debt and debt. That is, if the deceased leaves behind assets, heirs and debts, then the burial should be arranged with that wealth first. This is because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered the person who died wearing ihram in two garments to wear a shroud with it. He did not ask whether he had any debts and heirs. If the assets are left after the burial, then the loan will have to be repaid from it. Then after collecting other rights, if there is anything left, it should be distributed among the heirs.
8. It is permissible to wear a shroud on only two clothes.
9. It is forbidden for a Muhrim person to use perfume.
The 10. Covering the head is forbidden for Muhrim.
The 11. Covering the face is also forbidden for Muhrim. It has been narrated from six companions that it is permissible to cover the face. Those who say that it is permissible have taken evidence from the words of these six Companions. They said that the command to cover the face was not preserved from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
12. Even if a Muhrim person dies in ihram, he remains in ihram.
Finally, when the sun went down and the yellow color was removed and the sun was confirmed, he started from Arafah for Muzdalafah. At this time he made Usama bin Zayd sit on the back of the vehicle. He continued to move slowly. He pulled the reins of the camel in such a way that his head almost merged with the howdah. He said, "O people! You walk slowly. Because there is no good work in moving fast. He followed the road to Mazamain and on the road between the two mountains. Earlier, when he went to 'Arafah, he went by the road of Jab. Such was his sacred habit in the days of Eid. He took one route and returned by another. Then he continued to go to Sayre Anak at a moderate speed. If he got a wide field, he would go fast. If there was a hill or high place in front of him, he would loosen the reins of the camel, so that it would be easy for him to climb up.
He continued to recite the Talbiyah along the way; He wouldn't stop it. He landed at a place on the road and after urinating, he performed ablution lightly. Usama said to him, "O Allah's Apostle! You have to pray. He said, "The place of prayer is in front of you (in Muzdalifah)."
