Can I Cover My Face in Ihram?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I will be performing ‘Umra in sha Allah. Could I drape my scarf over my face like a veil when in ihram? Is this permissible, or should I just leave my face uncovered?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
You may drape your scarf over your face to shield your face from marriageable men on condition that it does not touch your face. It is recommended for a lady to dye her hands and parts of her face before entering into the ihram as this would also assist in disguising her face, and Allah knows best. [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab]
Sayyida ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) said, “The riders used to pass us while we were with the Messenger of God (Allah bless him and give him peace), in Ihram clothes. When they caught up with us, one of us would lower her jilbab from her head over her face. When they passed us, we uncovered our faces”. [Abu Dawud]
Obligatory Measures Before Ihram
For the Male:
(a) sheds any garments that have sewing in them (taking them off being obligatory for ihram, which is incomplete if one does not remove them before entering it);
(b) puts on a clean white mantle (Ar. rida’, the rectangular piece of cloth worn over the shoulders that covers the upper body of a man in ihram) and wraparound (izar, the cloth worn around the lower body), and sandals (that do not enclose the foot, but rather reveal the toes and heels, as opposed to sandals that cover the toes, for wearing such sandals obliges one to slaughter.
(c) and it is recommended to perfume the body, though not one’s clothes.
For the Female:
The above measures apply equally to women, although women do not divest themselves of sewn garments. A woman is obliged to cover all of her body except the face and hands, which, in ihram and prayer, are not considered nakedness.
It is recommended that she dye her hands and face with henna (not an attractive design because it is an adornment that attracts men’s attention. Instead, the henna required is that which changes the skin color and conceals it. But women do not use perfume.
All of the foregoing are done before entering ihram. Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh ِAbu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
