Restrictions of Ihram & What is permissible for a muhrim - [5]

Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the hajj.:

ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌۭ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٌۭ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ١٩٧

"Commitment to˺ pilgrimage is made in appointed months.1 Whoever commits to ˹performing˺ pilgrimage, let them stay away from intimate relations, foul language, and arguments during pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah ˹fully˺ knows of it. Take ˹necessary˺ provisions ˹for the journey˺—surely the best provision is righteousness. And be mindful of Me, O  people of reason!" — Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[Al-Baqarah: Ayat 197]

A pilgrim traveling by plane is to enter ihram from his house, at the airport, or on the plane and wear his ihram garments if he does not have any excuse preventing him from doing so. He is then to make the intention for 'umrah or hajj and chant the talbiyah after wearing his ihram garments, after settling down in the plane, or after it moves. This applies only if a pilgrim is heading from Jeddah to Mecca directly, as stated above and if he is heading to al-Medina first, the above instructions do not apply. Once in a state of ihram and after making the intention and chanting the talbiyah, it is a condition not to violate any of the restrictions of ihram.

What is permissible for a muhrim?

It is permissible for a muhrim (pilgrim in a state of ihram) to do the following:

- Bathe after entering ihram, change into another set of ihram garments, and use soap—even if scented—to wash for the purpose of cleanliness. It is permissible for a woman to wash, undo, and comb her hair. This is based on the words of the Prophet who told 'A`isha, "Unbraid your hair and comb your hair" [Recorded by Muslim].

- Undergo hijama (wet cupping), pop pimples, have a tooth extracted, have blood withdrawn, and scratch the head and body without removing a hair.

- Look in a mirror and take medicine.

- Take shelter under an umbrella, a tent, or ceiling.

- Use kohl or henna for treatment and not for adornment.

- Kill flies, ants, the various kinds of ticks, crows, kites, mice, scorpions, rapacious dogs, and anything that is harmful. As for insects that live on the human body such as fleas and lice, a pilgrim may either brush them off or kill them and he will not be blameworthy though it is better to do the former.

- Smelling sweet fragrances. The ruling for this revolves between dislike and prohibition. Consequently, it is recommended for a pilgrim to avoid using fragrances deliberately. It is not prohibited or disliked to sit in or pass through a fragrant place.

- A muhrim who has a wet dream or thinks or looks at something that causes him to ejaculate is not blameworthy according to the opinion of Shafi'i scholars.