Iḥrām is the sacred state a pilgrim enters intending Hajj or Umrah. It is not merely the clothing — it is the intention and the talbiya, after which certain permitted things become temporarily forbidden, cultivating humility and single-minded devotion.
Entering iḥrām
- 1
🚿Make ghusl and (before iḥrām) apply scent to the body if you wish.
- 2
🤍Men: wear two unstitched white cloths. Women: ordinary modest dress.
- 3
📍At the mīqāt (the fixed boundary for your route), make the intention for Hajj or Umrah.
- 4
🗣️Begin the talbiya: “Labbayka-llāhumma labbayk…” — and you are in iḥrām.
What iḥrām forbids
Ḥarām- • Cutting hair or clipping nails.
- • Applying perfume (after entering iḥrām).
- • Men: wearing sewn/fitted garments or covering the head.
- • Covering the face for women with something touching it (with detail) — the face is generally left uncovered.
- • Hunting land game.
- • Contracting a marriage.
- • Intimacy and its preliminaries.
Compare the schools
Tap a school to see its ruling first everywhere on this page.
Iḥrām
What commences iḥrām
Hanafi: Iḥrām begins with the niyya together with the Talbiya (or a dhikr) — the Talbiya is tied to entering iḥrām.
Other schools
Maliki: Niyya with the Talbiya; the Talbiya is strongly emphasized at the mīqāt.
Shāfiʿī: The niyya alone commences iḥrām; the Talbiya is a sunna.
Hanbali: The niyya commences iḥrām; the Talbiya is a sunna.
Kayfiyyat al-iḥrām — al-Mawsūʿa al-Fiqhiyya.
Evidence
The Prophet ﷺ set the mawāqīt for the people of each direction and for whoever passes through them intending Hajj or Umrah.
Bukhārī 1542 / Muslim 1177 ṣaḥīḥ
The muḥrim does not wear a shirt, turban, trousers, or anything touched by scent — the prohibitions of iḥrām for men.
Bukhārī 1838 ṣaḥīḥ
Content is being reviewed for authenticity by a qualified scholar. Follow your local scholars for personal rulings.