Traveling to perform the rites
After determining the date and means of the journey, a pilgrim heading to al-Medina al-Munawara first is not to enter ihram (state of pilgrim sanctity) nor wear his ihram garments. He is to remain in his regular clothes until he visits the Prophet's tomb and ends his stay in al-Medina.
Upon commencing the journey from al-Medina to Mecca, a pilgrim must assume ihram for 'umrah only, for hajj only, or for both—as he wishes—from al-Medina or from its miqat site (appointed places and times from where and when pilgrims assume their ihram garments)—Dhul-Hulaifah—currently known as `Abar 'Ali, which is close to al-Medina on the way to Mecca, or from Rabegh.
A pilgrim on a late journey, taking a direct route from Jeddah to Mecca, may make the intention for hajj qiran (wherein the actions of 'umrah and hajj are incorporated). He may also assume ihram for 'umrah only or for hajj only.
A pilgrim making the journey by sea from Egypt and the Levant is to prepare himself for assuming ihram when the ship approaches the miqat site of Al-Juhfa close to Rabegh. Preparations for ihram include removing unwanted body hair, paring nails, and bathing aboard the ship for the purpose of cleanliness and not for the duty of hajj and 'umrah. Alternatively, a pilgrim may perform ablution if bathing is not possible Afterwards, a pilgrim is to perfume his body with what is lawful and then wear the ihram garments described above.
Once in ihram after bathing or making ablution, a pilgrim is to offer a voluntary two rak'ah (unit of prayer) prayer and resolve in his heart to make 'umrah only, hajj only, or both simultaneously (if he intends to combine both) by saying, "Allahuma inni nawayt …. Fa yasirihu li wa taqabalahu minni (O Allah! I intend to perform such-and-such, so make it easy and accept it from me". Afterwards, he is to chant the talbiyah which consists of the following: "Labayk Allahuma labayk. Labayk la sharika laka labayk. Inna al hamda wa al ni`mata Laka wal mulk, la sharika Lak" i.e. "O my Lord, here I am ever at Your service, here I am. You have no partner, here I am. Truly, all praise, blessings, and dominion are Yours. You have no partner." After making the intention and then chanting the talbiyah, a pilgrim is considered to have assumed ihram for 'umrah only, hajj only, or both, according to his intention. The talbiyah corresponds to takbirat al-ihram (opening Alllahu Akbar that begins the prayer).
Restrictions of ihram
After entering ihram in the above described manner, a pilgrim must not do or approach any of the restrictions of ihram which include the following:
- Covering the head.
- Shaving or pulling hair from any part of the body.
- Paring nails.
- Using perfume or scented objects.
- Engaging in conjugal relations or foreplay such as touching and kissing with desire.
- Wearing sewn garments.
- Hunting game animals or cutting down the trees of al- Haram.
If a pilgrim violates any of the above before making al-tahallul al-awwal (partial release from ihram) i.e. stoning Jamarat al-‘Aqaba on 10th Dhul-Hijjah, his hajj or 'umrah is valid but he must slaughter a sheep, feed six poor persons, or fast three days.
Sexual intercourse before stoning Jamarat al-‘Aqaba (al-tahallul al-awwal) nullifies hajj and whoever does so must repeat his hajj another year.
- Wearing niqab (covering the face) or gloves (for females).
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| Wearing the niqab violates the conditions of ihram |
- It is prohibited for a Muslim, male or female, to fight and dispute with others due to the words of Allah, Glory be to Him, Who says:
Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the hajj.:
"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]
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