When do I enter Ihram if I intend to go to Madina or Makka?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
A family is traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and tourism and greeting their family. They do not have a firm intention yet as they think they will go to Madinah first as they booked a hotel for that day.
Still, they decide to go to Makkah first to visit family and rest, and once they reach, they intend to make Umrah, then they go to Miqat of masjid Aisha for Ihram. Is this all right?
Also, I am getting different answers for whether women can take off their hijab and Ihram for purification reasons, such as making wudu or having a shower. Can you please clarify this?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
If you intend to go to Madinah first, you don’t need to don the Ihram. Then, when you leave to go to Makkah, you will stop at the boundary (miqat) of Dhul-Hulaifa to enter the state of Ihram. However, those who intend to enter Makkah must don the Ihram before crossing the boundary (miqat).
Showers While in Ihram
One can take off one’s hijab and have a shower, etc, while in Ihram. One does not have to remain in wudu or covered; one can do the everyday things while in Ihram, too, except for specific matters, like the following:
Argue, sin, or perform corrupt acts
Have marital relations, engage in foreplay, touch/kiss with desire, or make mention of it
Hunt, point to a hunting animal or kill lice
Wear sewn clothing, underwear, socks, khufayn, or shoes (men only)
Cover one’s head (men only)
Cover one’s face
Cut the nails on one’s hands/feet
Remove any body hair or hair on the head
Apply scent or oil upon one’s body, clothes, or hair (includes using scented tissues, shampoos, soaps, and the like)
It is essential to study the rulings of ‘Umra well before setting off to ensure their validity. Otherwise, one ends up in costly violations and confusion.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Check the related links:
Do I Need to Be in Ihram before Landing in Jeddah? – (seekersguidance.org)
What Are the Rulings of Ihram? – SeekersGuidance
Sisters, Make the Most of Your Umra with These Free Lessons – SeekersGuidance
umrah Archives – SeekersGuidance
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org), like from the Islamic Studies Curriculum (seekersguidance.org) or Youth Islamic Studies Curriculum (seekersguidance.org), building your way up doing each course?
I pray this helps answer your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
