This guide explains the ihram rules that apply from the moment you make your intention at the miqat until you leave ihram by shaving or trimming your hair. It covers what is prohibited for everyone, what applies only to men or only to women, what remains allowed, and an overview of what to do if a rule is broken. It follows mainstream Sunni practice and notes briefly where the four schools differ.
Ihram is a sacred state, not just a set of clothes. The two white sheets men wear are its visible sign, but a woman in her ordinary modest dress is equally in ihram once she makes the intention. Knowing the ihram rules in advance means you will not need to worry about them during the rites.
When do the ihram rules apply?
The ihram rules apply once you have made the intention for Umrah or Hajj, which must happen at or before your miqat. Putting on the sheets at home or at the airport does not by itself place you in ihram; the intention does. Many pilgrims dress in ihram before a flight and make the intention when the crew announce the miqat. Our miqat guide explains where yours is.
For Umrah, the rules end when you shave or trim your hair after sa‘i. For Hajj, most of them end at the first release on the Day of Sacrifice, and the last one, marital relations, ends at the full release after Tawaf al-Ifadah. The full sequence is in our how to perform Umrah guide.
Ihram rules for everyone: the prohibitions
These ihram rules apply to men and women alike. They are drawn from the Qur’an and the hadith, especially Qur’an 2:196–197 and 5:95, and the hadith of Ibn ‘Umar on what the pilgrim may wear (al-Bukhari and Muslim).
1. Removing hair
Do not shave, cut or pluck hair from the head or the body. Hair that falls out on its own while washing or combing gently is not a problem; just avoid deliberately pulling it out.
2. Cutting nails
Do not clip or file the nails. A nail that breaks and causes pain may be removed.
3. Perfume
Do not apply perfume to the body or the ihram clothing after entering ihram, and avoid scented soap, shampoo, deodorant, wipes and creams. Perfume put on the body before ihram may remain, as the Prophet ﷺ did, but do not perfume the ihram garments.
4. Hunting
Do not hunt or kill land game, or help someone else to do so (Qur’an 5:95). Sea fishing is permitted. Harmful creatures such as scorpions and rats may be killed.
5. Marriage contracts
A person in ihram may not marry, be married or propose marriage, as the Prophet ﷺ said in a hadith reported by Muslim.
6. Marital relations
Intercourse is the most serious violation of ihram (Qur’an 2:197). Kissing or touching with desire is also prohibited. Married couples travelling together should take particular care.
All pilgrims should also keep away from arguing, obscene speech and sin, which are forbidden at all times but especially in ihram. In addition, within the Haram boundary of Makkah, whether or not you are in ihram, do not cut its trees or plants, disturb its game or pick up lost property except to hand it in.
Ihram rules for men and for women compared
A few ihram rules differ for men and women. Men wear unstitched garments and keep the head uncovered; women wear normal clothing but must not cover the face with a niqab or wear gloves.
| Rule | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Two unstitched sheets (izar and rida’); no shirts, trousers, underwear, socks or other fitted garments | Normal loose, modest clothing of any colour; stitched clothing is fine |
| Head | Must stay uncovered; no cap, turban or hood | Must stay covered with the hijab |
| Face | The schools differ; the Hanafi and Maliki schools prohibit covering it | No niqab or face veil tied to the face; may lower a cloth in front of non-mahram men |
| Hands | No restriction beyond fitted gloves | No gloves |
| Footwear | Sandals or slippers leaving the top of the foot uncovered | Any footwear, including socks and shoes |
| Talbiyah | Said aloud | Said so she and those beside her can hear |
| Idtiba’ and raml | Sunnah in the tawaf of Umrah or arrival | Not done |
| Leaving ihram | Shave the head (preferred) or trim it | Cut a fingertip’s length from the ends |
The rule on clothing for men is about garments cut and sewn to the shape of the body or a limb. A belt, a money pouch, a watch, glasses and sandals with stitching are all fine. For more detail on women’s clothing, menstruation and mahram rules, see our Umrah for women guide.
What is allowed under the ihram rules?
Many pilgrims worry about things the ihram rules do not actually prohibit. The following are permitted:
- Showering or bathing with unscented soap, and changing into clean ihram sheets.
- Using an umbrella, sitting in shade, and travelling in a covered car, coach or tent.
- Wearing a belt, watch, ring, glasses, hearing aid or money pouch.
- Taking medication, using unscented creams and having a wound dressed; the Prophet ﷺ was treated with cupping while in ihram (al-Bukhari).
- Brushing your teeth and using a miswak; many prefer unscented toothpaste to avoid any doubt.
- Scratching gently, as long as you do not deliberately pull out hair.
- Killing harmful creatures such as scorpions, rats and snakes.
- Wrapping yourself in a blanket while sleeping, provided men keep the head uncovered.
Check an action against the ihram rules
Search a common action to see whether it is allowed under the ihram rules, with a short explanation for each. The checker is also available as a standalone ihram checker tool.
Ihram: allowed or not?
Check common actions against the rules of ihram.
Wearing perfume or scented soap
Not allowed after entering ihram. Use unscented products; perfume applied to the body before ihram may remain.
Cutting hair or nails
Not allowed until you exit ihram with halq or taqsir.
Men covering the head with a cap or turban
Men must leave the head uncovered. Shade from an umbrella or tent is fine.
Men wearing stitched, fitted clothing
Men wear two unstitched sheets. A belt, watch, glasses and sandals are fine.
Women wearing a niqab or gloves
Women may not wear a face veil tied to the face or gloves in ihram; they may lower a cloth over the face in front of non-mahram men.
Showering with unscented soap
Allowed. Avoid scented products and do not deliberately pull out hair.
Changing into a clean ihram sheet
Allowed whenever needed.
Using an umbrella or sitting in shade
Allowed for everyone.
Hunting land animals
Prohibited in ihram.
Marriage contract or proposing marriage
Not allowed while in ihram.
Marital relations
Strictly prohibited until fully out of ihram; it has serious consequences for the rites.
Taking medication
Allowed, including unscented creams.
If you break a rule of ihram by mistake or out of need, ask a qualified scholar about any expiation (fidyah).
What if one of the ihram rules is broken?
Mistakes happen, especially in crowds, heat and fatigue, and the ihram rules were given with mercy for genuine human error. What follows is an overview only: the expiation depends on the act, whether it was deliberate, and the school you follow. Ask a qualified scholar about your specific situation; scholars are available in the Haram to answer questions.
Forgetfulness or ignorance
Many scholars, especially in the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, hold that a pilgrim who wears perfume or fitted clothing out of forgetfulness or genuine ignorance owes no expiation, but must stop as soon as he remembers or learns. The Hanafi school requires expiation regardless. The schools are stricter about acts that cannot be undone, such as cutting hair or nails.
Out of need
If illness, heat, injury or similar forces you to break a rule, such as shaving for a head wound or wearing a fitted garment for a medical reason, it is permitted, but a fidyah is due. Qur’an 2:196 and the hadith of Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (al-Bukhari and Muslim) give a choice of three: fasting three days, feeding six poor people, or sacrificing a sheep in the Haram.
Deliberately and without need
Breaking one of the ihram rules deliberately without an excuse is a sin. It requires sincere repentance as well as the expiation.
The serious cases
Hunting requires compensation as described in Qur’an 5:95. Marital relations before completing the rites of Umrah invalidate it according to the majority, who say the pilgrim must still complete it, make it up later and offer a sacrifice. For Hajj, intercourse before the first release invalidates the Hajj. Ask a scholar immediately in either case.
For official guidance on permits and pilgrim services, see the Nusuk platform.
Ihram rules: frequently asked questions
Can I shower in ihram?
Yes. Showering is allowed. Use unscented soap and shampoo and avoid deliberately pulling out hair.
Can men wear underwear in ihram?
No. Men wear only the two unstitched sheets. A belt to secure the lower sheet is allowed.
Can women wear any colour in ihram?
Yes. Women wear their normal modest clothing in any colour. There is no special ihram garment for women, but avoid perfume, the niqab and gloves.
Can I wear a face mask in ihram?
Women should not wear a niqab, and men should not cover the head. For a face mask worn for health reasons, many contemporary scholars permit it out of need, though some require an expiation. Ask your group’s scholar.
What if I used scented soap by mistake?
Wash it off as soon as you remember. According to many scholars, nothing further is due for genuine forgetfulness, though the Hanafi school requires an expiation. Ask a scholar if unsure.
When do the ihram rules end?
For Umrah, they end when you shave or trim your hair after sa‘i. For Hajj, most end at the first release on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and the rest after Tawaf al-Ifadah.
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