There are three obligations for Ihram:

1. NIYYAH, that is, the pilgrim forms the intention to perform ‘Umrah Mufradah to attain nearness to Allah. If he does not know all the ceremonies in detail, he must form the intention generally. In such a case, it is Wajib that he should know what is required of him gradually by checking the Rules or from the learned he trusts. In the Niyyah, the following must be included:
   • That the intention must be to attain nearness to Allah (Qurbatan Ilallah).
   • That the intention must be formed at definite places specified above under the heading of Meeqaats.
   • If it is on behalf of someone else, such intention must be expressly formed.

NOTE: It is not necessary to utter the intention aloud or mentally. It is enough that the intention is consciously formed as in other forms of worship.

1. NIYYAH can thus be expressed as follows:I AM WEARING IHRAM FOR ‘UMRAH MUFRADAH MUSTAHAB QUBATAN ILALLAHI TA’ALA.If it is on behalf of someone else, the NIYYAH should be as follows:

   I AM WEARING IHRAM FOR ‘UMRAH MUFRADAH ON BEHALF OF ……………… (NAME THE PERSON) MUSTAHAB QURBATAN ILALLAHI TA’ALA.

   Immediately after wearing Ihram, recite TALBIYAH which must be recited in Arabic

2. TALBIYAH, that is to utter as follows:
   

   لَبَّيْكَ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ ٱلْحَمْدَ وَٱلنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَٱلْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ

   LABBAIK, ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK, LABBAIK LA SHARIKA LAKA LABBAIK. INNAL HAMDA WANNI’AMATA LAKA WAL MULK, LA SHARIKA LAKA. LABBAIK  LA SHARIKA LAKA LABBAIK.

   Translation:
   Here I am! At Your service, O Lord! Here I am! At Your Service, You have no partner. Here I am at Your service. All the praise is Yours, so is the bounty, and to You belongs the dominion; there is no partner to You. Here I am! At Your service.

   Every pilgrim must learn the proper pronunciation of the words of the Talbiyah and recite them correctly like the recitation of the Takbiratul Ihram in prayers, even if it is by following another person reciting these words.

   If a person cannot pronounce the words properly nor is there a person whom he can follow, he is still obliged to recite the words as best as he can unless his recitation is such that it is not considered to be Talbiyah.

   In such a situation, as a matter of precaution, he should recite as much as he can, recite the translation of the Talbiyah and appoint an agent to recite it on his behalf.
   
   A person who becomes dumb as a result of disease or injury should recite Talbiyah as much as he can and if he is unable to recite he must move his tongue and lips while he is making intention and make gestures with fingers which coordinate with the recitation.

   A person born dumb should move his tongue and lips as if he is reciting and make gestures with fingers as well.

   Another person must recite Talbiyah for a child not capable of rational action (Ghayr Mumayyiz).

   For the unconscious or the retarded, another person must recite for him. The position of Talbiyah in Ihram is that of Takbirat-ul-Ihram in prayers (Salaat). Ihram is not complete without it. Therefore, if a person wears the two pieces of clothes for Ihram but before reciting the Talbiyah performs one of the acts prohibited during Ihram, he has not done any wrong and there is no penalty on him.

   NOTE: Purity from Najasah is not a condition for the validity of the Ihram. Thus, a person can wear Ihram even in condition of Janabah, Haydh, Nifaas or the like.

   If after wearing the two pieces of cloth for Ihram but before departing from the Meeqat, a person doubts as to whether he had recited the Talbiyah or not, he should recite the Talbiyah. However, if the doubt arises after the recitation as to whether he had recited it correctly or not, he should assume that he had recited it correctly.

3. CLOTHES FOR IHRAM, which is wearing the two pieces of cloth after abstaining from the matters prohibited during Ihram, is obligatory. As a matter of caution, it is necessary that the cloth worn round the waist should cover the portion from the navel to the knee and the other cloth should cover both the shoulders, arms and a considerable part of the back.As a matter of caution, both the pieces must be worn before the Niyyah and Talbiyah. If the Niyyah and Talbiyah precede the wearing of the Ihram, the pilgrim must make the Niyyah to recite the Talbiyah again after wearing Ihram.

   NOTES:

   1. There is no objection in having more than two pieces of clothes in Ihram at the time of wearing or afterwards for protection against heat or cold etc…
   2. The conditions applied to the cloth of Ihram are the same as those applied to clothes worn in prayers. It is necessary that they should not be made of pure silk (as a matter of precaution even for ladies) or skin of any wild animal, parts of the body of an animal whose meat is forbidden, of gold, usurped or stolen and both the pieces must be Tahir (pure)
   3. As a matter of precaution, the cloth worn round the waist should be of the kind that conceals the body but the cloth round the shoulders need not be of such kind.
   4. As a matter of caution, both the pieces must be made of cloth, and not of leather or hide.
   5. The obligation to wear the two pieces round the waist and the shoulders is confined to males only and does not apply to females who may wear as Ihram their usual clothes which would comply with the conditions stated above.
   6. If either or both of the pieces of cloth worn as Ihram become Najis (impure) as a matter of caution, it or they must be changed or made Tahir as soon as possible.

It is not obligatory to wear Ihram all the time. There is no objection to its removal, whether necessary to do so or not. Nor is there any objection to changing them, provided the other pair complies with the conditions stated above.

RECOMMENDED ACTS IN IHRAM.

1. Before wearing Ihram one must clean the body, cut one’s nails, trim the moustache and remove the hair under the armpits and below the navel.
2. One should perform Ghusl at the Meeqaat but if it is felt that it will not be possible to perform the Ghusl there, it may be performed before leaving for Meeqaat. A Ghusl performed during the day will last to the end of the night which follows and the Ghusl performed in the night will last to the end of the following day.
3. The clothes for Ihram be made of cotton and white in color. 
4. The Ihram be worn after the noon prayers. If this is not possible, it be worn after any daily prayers or after the recitation of two Raka’ats of prayers.
5. Make the Niyyah (intention) for Ihram together with Talbiyah.
6. Men should recite the Talbiyah aloud.
7. The Talbiyah constantly repeated in the state of Ihram, when waking from sleep, after every prayers (Salaat), when embarking on a vehicle or riding and disembarking or dismounting, while climbing or descending, when meeting other riders or in the desert and even in the condition of Janabah or menstruation.

NOTE: Besides the above there are specified Duas to be recited, some of which have been included in this book.

ACTS TO BE AVOIDED IN IHRAM.

1. To wear black clothes in Ihram.
2. To sleep on yellow bedding or pillow.
3. To wear dirty clothes for Ihram. If they become dirty in the state of Ihram, it is better to wash them but there is no objection to wearing another pair.
4. To wear Ihram of clothes with pictures.
5. To apply Henna before wearing Ihram if its color would remain at the time of wearing Ihram.
6. To have a bath and it is preferred, as a matter of caution, that one must not massage body.
7. To reply to a caller by saying “LABBAIK”.

PROHIBITED ACTS IN IHRAM.

As has been stated, Ihram is established by Talbiyah. Once Ihram is worn and Talbiyah recited performance of twenty five acts become forbidden.

They are:

1. 1. Hunting.
   2. Sexual Intercourse.
   3. Kissing a Woman.
   4. Touching a Woman.
   5. Looking at a Woman and flirting with her.
   6. Masturbating.
   7. Reciting Nikah.
   8. Use of Scent or {Perfume) Avoiding Bad Smell.
   9. Wearing Sewn Clothes by Men.
   10. Applying Collyrium (Surma)
   11. Looking in a Mirror.
   12. Wearing Shoes or Socks.
   13. Lying and Abusing.
   14. Quarrelling and Swearing.
   15. Killing Lice or other Insects found on the Body.
   16. Beautifying oneself.
   17. Applying Oil.
   18. Removing Hair from the Body.
   19. Covering the Head by Males or immersing in Water even by Females.
   20. Covering of the face by Females.
   21. Being under Shade by Males.
   22. Taking out Blood from the Body.
   23. Cutting Nails.
   24. Extracting Tooth.
   25. Carrying Arms.

1. HUNTING:
   While in the state of Ihram it is forbidden to hunt, hurt, injure or kill free animals living on land, whether it is hunted for eating or not. There is, however, no objection in fishing or slaughtering domestic animals, like sheep, cow, camel, and poultry including turkey. When one fears for safety, for example, from wild animals or snakes, it is permissible to kill them.
2. SEXUAL INTERCOURSE:
   Sexual intercourse of any kind is forbidden for a pilgrim in Ihram, even with one’s wife.
3. KISSING A WOMAN:
   It is not permissible for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to kiss any woman, including his wife.
4. TOUCHING A WOMAN:
   It is not permissible for a pilgrim in Ihram to touch, carry or cuddle his wife with passion, but if he does so without passion, no penalty is incurred.
5. LOOKING AT A WOMAN AND FLIRTING WITH HER:
   It is not permissible for a person in the state of Ihram to look at his wife with passion or indulge in foreplay with her.
6. MASTURBATING:
   It is forbidden for a person in the state of Ihram to masturbate. If he does so, the rule of intercourse applies to him.
7. RECITING NIKAH:
   It is forbidden for a pilgrim in the sate of Ihram to recite Nikah for himself or another person, and whether the other is also in the state of Ihram or not and whether the intended marriage is permanent or temporary. In all these conditions, the marriage is invalid.
8. USE OF SCENT OR PERFUME:
   It is forbidden for a person in Ihram to smell or apply perfume of any kind or to wear clothes which have scent or perfume in them. There is one exception which is Khulooq-ul-Ka’aba which is extracted from saffron and other materials and is applied on the Holy Ka’aba. It is not forbidden to eat fruits which have a scent in them, like apples and quince. However, as a matter of caution, one must not smell the fruit when eating it.
   BAD SMELL: It is forbidden for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to close his nose to bad smell, although there is no objection to moving away quickly from the smell.
9. WEARING SEWN CLOTHES BY MEN:
   It is forbidden for a male pilgrim in the state of Ihram to wear a shirt, robe, trousers, etc. As a matter of caution, he must refrain from sewn clothes. However, there is no objection in tying a sewn money purse round the waist or over the shoulder to protect the cash. Likewise it is permissible to use a sewn belt to support a rupture, for example, of hernia. He can also use a sewn blanket or covering but he must not let it cover his head. As a matter of caution, one must not tie the lose ends of the loin cloth at all, that is, one must not connect the two ends of the loin cloth, either by a knot or by a pin or needle. As a matter of caution, one must not tie a knot in the cloth round the shoulders either. Ladies can wear sewn dresses in the state of Ihram but not gloves.
10. APPLYING COLLYRIUM (SURMA):
    Two circumstances of its application need consideration:
    1. Application of black Collyrium for beautification is totally forbidden, except if used for treatment.
    2. Application of Collyrium which is not black and is not intended for beautification is not objectionable.
11. LOOKING IN A MIRROR:
    It is forbidden for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to look in a mirror for the purpose of beautification. There is no objection to look in a mirror for any other reason; for example, a pilgrim needs to look into a mirror to treat his face of some injury or to ensure that there is nothing on the face to obstruct water for Wudhu reaching the skin.
12. WEARING SHOES OR SOCKS:
    It is forbidden for a male pilgrim in the state of Ihram to wear shoes or socks. However, he is permitted to let the cloth of the Ihram, worn around the waist, to cover the foot while sitting. There is no objection to women wearing socks and shoes.
13. LYING AND ABUSING:
    Lying and abusing is forbidden at all times but more seriously so when one is in the state of Ihram. NOTE: In the state of Ihram a pilgrim has to be cautious not to use abusive language in ordinary conversation.
14. QUARRELLING AND SWEARING:
    It is forbidden for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to quarrel with others, particularly to swear by Allah in order to prove something. It is apparent that the prohibition is not exclusive for LA WALLAH (No, by Allah) or BALA, WALLAH (Yes, by Allah) but includes all types of swearing in the name of Allah in any language. However, there are two exceptions to the rule:
    1. It is permissible to swear if it is necessary to do so to establish a right or disprove a false claim.
    2. If it is not intended to take an oath or swear but for another purpose altogether, like showing respect or affection and saying, La, Wallah (No, by Allah) do not do so. NOTE: There is no penalty for taking a true oath, but one should seek forgiveness from Allah if he has done so once or twice; otherwise there is a penalty.
15. KILLING OF INSECTS FOUND ON THE BODY:
    It is forbidden for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to kill lice or insects on one’s body or throw them from one’s body or clothes, as a matter of caution, but there is no objection in moving them from one place to the other. As for mosquitoes, gnats and the like, as a matter of caution, it is better to avoid killing them so long as they do not harm the pilgrim but it is permissible to kill them to protect oneself, although as a matter of caution one should avoid doing so.
16. BEAUTIFYING ONESELF:
    As a matter of caution, a pilgrim in the state of Ihram should avoid whatever is considered to be beautification, whether or not he has the intention to beautify himself, including applying “Henna”. It is permissible to wear a ring, i.e. Aqeeq, Feruza, etc. not for beautification but as an act recommended in the religion. It is forbidden for a lady in the state of Ihram to wear decorative jewelry unless she customarily wears them before getting into the state of Ihram but she should not exhibit them to her husband or, as a matter of optional precaution, to any male who is Mahram to her.
17. APPLYING OIL:
    It is not permissible for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to apply oil on the body even if there is no perfume or scent in it unless it is applied for necessity or treatment.
18. REMOVING HAIR FROM THE BODY:
    It is forbidden for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to pluck even one of his hairs or the hair of another whether in Ihram or not. There are three exceptions to this rule:
    1. If there are plenty of lice on the body of the pilgrim and is troubled by them.
    2. If it becomes necessary to remove them, for example the length or quantity of hair causes headache or for such other cause;
    3. If the hair drop by themselves in the course of Wudhoo or Ghusl. There is no objection to a pilgrim in the state of Ihram scratching his head or body if no hair falls or blood oozes. If the pilgrim without any reason moves his hand on his head or beard and one or two hairs drop off, he must give in charity a handful of food.
19. COVERING OF THE HEAD OR DIVING IN WATER:
    It is not permissible for a male pilgrim in the state of Ihram to cover his head or part of it by way of shawl, shirt, and the like as a matter of caution; he must not carry anything on his head. However, tying it with handkerchief and the like in order to reduce a headache is permissible. It is permissible for him to cover the head with a part of the body, like hands but it is better to avoid doing so. By head it is meant the part where the hairs grow; however, it is highly recommended the ruling applies to the ears also. As a matter of caution, it is not permissible for a male or a female pilgrim in the state of Ihram to immerse his body above the neck in water and the like.
20. COVERING OF THE FACE BY FEMALES:
    It is not permissible for a lady in the state of Ihram to cover her face with a veil, niqab or a hand fan and the like. As a matter of caution, she should not cover even a part of the face. However, she can cover it while sleeping and there is no objection to covering part of the face in prayers (Salaat).
21. BEING UNDER A SHADE BY MALES: One can be under a shade in two ways:
    1. By using an umbrella, the roof of a vehicle, an aero plane, and the like. This is forbidden for men, in the state of Ihram, if the shade is above the head. However, it is allowed to remain under the shade of a moving cloud or if the shade falls on one side only, that is, pedestrians can walk beside a car producing a shade on one side or the like. As a matter of caution, riders must avoid shade unless the shade from both sides is so short that it does not cover the head and chest of the pilgrim.
    2. By being under fixed objects like the shade of walls, tunnels, trees, mountains, etc. Being under such shade is allowed for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram whether he is riding or on foot. There is no objection in protecting oneself from the sun with one’s bare hands, although, as a matter of caution, it is better to avoid doing so. The meaning of avoidance of cover is that no protection be used against the sun, and as a matter of precaution, the rain. However, there is no objection in protecting oneself from wind, heat, cold, etc. It means that there is no objection to riding in a covered bus during the night, even if it is not raining, as a matter of precaution, even though one is protected against the wind. The prohibition of resorting to shading, discussed above, is confined to walking and covering a distance. Once a pilgrim, in a state of Ihram, arrives at a place, be it that he uses for accommodation or not, there is no objection to his moving under shade. This is treated in the same way as if a pilgrim was en route, in that he can remain in the shade of a house in which he is resting, or meeting friends, i.e. it is apparent that he is permitted to be under shade. The question, though, still remains as to whether a pilgrim is permitted to be under the shade of a moving object, once he settled and went about his business. Say, he had arrived in Makkah and wished to proceed to the Holy Mosque for Tawaaf and Sa’y, or once in Mina, he wished to proceed to the place of sacrifice or Jamaraat. It is very problematic (mushkilun jiddan) to pass a ruling, permitting it. Accordingly, and as a matter of precaution, one should avoid doing so. There is no objection to women or children being under shade or men out of necessity or fear of heat or cold.
22. TAKING OUT BLOOD FROM THE BODY:
    It’s forbidden for a pilgrim in the state of Ihram to remove blood from his body because it’s against their religious law. However, there is no objection if doing so out of necessity or if pain requires it.
23. CUTTING NAILS:
    To be in Ihram, the pilgrims are not allowed to cut their nails or nails parts, due to that they are forbidden harmful acts. If it is found that part of the nail is causing harm to the other parts and making pain, then it can be cut.
24. EXTRACTING TOOTH: Scholars unanimously agree that removal of the tooth is not permitted even without blood, in the state of Ihram.
25. CARRYING ARMS: Possession of weapons is only forbidden when it is not needed, otherwise it is allowed. For example, if there is a fear of theft or attack from people who are considered enemies.