How Can I Clean My Hands to Feed My Baby While Performing Umra?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

How can I clean my hands to feed my baby during my Umra if I can’t find unscented soap?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah,

Whilst in a state of pilgrim sanctity (ihram), you can clean your hands with that which is unscented and fulfils the purpose, such as hand wipes.

The basis is that perfumes and scents are to be avoided during the state of pilgrim sanctity, and until you complete the rites.

This reason for this is that the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said that the person in a state of pilgrim sanctity is “dishevelled,” and perfuming oneself negates this meaning.

[Kasani, Bada‘i al-Sanaæ‘i]

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.