Hajj & Umrah: 2. Violations of the Ihraam Specific to Men

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BISMILLAH

Then are some violations that are specific to men to the exclusion of women. They are two in number:

1. Covering the head. This is due to the saying of the Prophet (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) regarding the Companion (radiyallaahu `anhu) who died in Ihraam: “Wash him with water and Sidr, then shroud him in his garment – and do not cover his head.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]. So this forbiddance means that a man may not wear anything that physically touches his head such as a cap, or what is referred to as a “koofi”, or a hat, a ghutra, a shimaagh, a scarf, a hood or a turban. As for that which does not touch the head and does not come into contact with it such as an umbrella, or a tent, or the ceiling of a room, or the roof of a car or bus, then that is fine. This is due to what has been reported by Muslim in his Saheeh from Umm Husayn (radiyallaahu Allaah `anhaa) that she said:

“We made Hajj alongside Allaah’s Messenger (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) during his Farewell Hajj. I saw him stoning the Jamratul-`Aqabah. He turned around and he was upon his riding beast. With him was Bilaal and Usaamah. One of them was steering the riding beast whilst the other had his garment raised over the head of the Prophet (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) shading him from the Sun.”

Furthermore there is no harm in carrying things on one’s head, even if that covers some of the head, because the intent here is not to cover the head but to carry a load. Additionally there is no harm in submerging one’s head in water.

2. The wearing of what is referred to as “stitched garments” is forbidden for men in Ihraam. The intent here is a garment that is commonly worn fitting around the limbs, regardless of whether it covers a part of the body or all of the body. So forbidden is the long shirt (commonly referred to a “thawb”), hooded cloak (worn by the North African Arabs) which cover the whole body. Forbidden also are the trousers, leather socks rising above the ankles, regular socks (rising above the ankles), gloves, etc. This is based upon the hadeeth of Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) wherein the Prophet (salallaahu `alahi wassallam) was asked: “What garments can a Muhrim wear?” He responded: “He cannot wear a long shirt, a turban, a hooded cloak, trousers, leather socks, nor any garment that has been perfumed with Saffron or Wars.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

If however, he cannot get hold of an Izaar (a large waist sheet) or does not have the money to purchase one, he may wear trousers. If he cannot get hold of sandals or cannot afford a pair, he may wear leather socks (khuffain). And there is no penalty (fidyah) to pay. This is due to the hadeeth of Ibn `Abbaas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) who said that he heard Allaah’s Messenger say whilst delivering a sermon in `Arafah: “Whoever cannot get hold of an Izaar, let him wear [wide] trousers. And whoever cannot get hold of sandals, let him wear the leather socks (khuffain).” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

  • There is no harm in draping a shirt over one’s body without wearing it.
  • There is no harm in draping a cloak over one’s body as long as it is not worn as is customary.
  • There is no harm in wearing a watch on the wrist.
  • There is no harm in wearing a ring.
  • There is no harm in wearing glasses, even if they be sunglasses.
  • There is no harm in using a hearing aid.
  • There is no harm in hanging a pouch around one’s neck or shoulders wherein he carries his money, medicine or water.
  • There is no harm in tying together the Izaar to keep it tight and prevent it from falling.
  • There is no harm in using a belt to hold up the Izaar.
  • There is no harm in using a money belt or pouch around ones waist above or under the Izaar.
  • There is no harm in there being some stitching within the Izaar or Ridaa (upper and lower garments).
  • The sandals can have stitching within them, they need not be glued together! Rather to claim such a thing has no basis.

None of these matters are forbidden. When the scholars state that the garments for Ihraam must be “un-stitched garments” (gharu mukheet), it does not mean a garment cannot have thread or stitching, rather it means that the garments must not be fitted around the limbs. Indeed to be specific, when the Prophet (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) was asked concerning what a Muhrim can wear, he answered: “He cannot wear a long shirt, or a turban, a hooded cloak, trousers, leather socks, nor any garment that has been perfumed with Saffron or Wars.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

So the answer of the Prophet (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) stated what cannot be worn regarding a questioner who asked what can be worn. And this proves that everything/anything can be worn except for these stated items.

The Messenger (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) permitted the wearing of the leather socks in the absence of sandals as a means of protection for the feet.

Next:

1: That which is forbidden for the female only.

Source:

Manaasik al-Hajj wal-`Umrah wal-Mashroo` Fiz-Ziyaarah of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-`Uthaimeen.