Ihram and intention

Read the prohibitions listed in this step without rushing. Keep in mind especially those that will concern you during your journey. Stay patient in crowds, do not cause harm or distress to those around you, and let your conduct reflect the sanctity of ihram.

A — Prohibitions relating to your own body while in ihram:

• Applying perfume.
• Using scented soap.
• Shaving; trimming the moustache.
• Applying henna or using products such as lipstick and nail polish for adornment.
• Cutting the nails.
• Plucking or cutting hair from any part of the body.
• Plucking or shaving pubic and underarm hair.

B — Clothing prohibitions for men:

• Wearing a skullcap or wrapping a turban around the head.
• Wearing stitched clothing such as trousers, overcoats or shirts.
• Wearing socks, gloves, or shoes or sandals that cover the tops of the feet and the heels.

C — Sexual prohibitions:

• Having sexual intercourse.
• Kissing.
• Words, actions or behaviour that could lead to sexual intercourse.

D — Prohibited acts that harm others:

• Fighting.
• Arguing or engaging in conflict.
• Swearing at others, insulting them or hurting their feelings.

E — Prohibitions within the Haram area:

• Plucking naturally growing green grass, or cutting, pruning or crushing trees.
• Killing harmless animals.

F — Prohibitions relating to hunting land animals:

• Hunting any kind of land animal, whether or not its meat is eaten.
• Helping a hunter, even by signalling.
• Harming game animals.

If you are unsure about anything, do not make your own ruling. Make a note of the situation and ask the UmrahAi Assistant.

Do not see this moment as simply changing clothes. Soon, through your intention and the Talbiyah, you will commit to refraining from certain things normally permitted in daily life, for the pleasure of Allah Most High.

Men who intend to enter ihram wrap themselves in the izar and rida. These two cloths are commonly called ihram. Women make their intention in their usual clothes. Ihram means entering a state in which certain otherwise permissible acts become forbidden for oneself in order to perform Hajj and Umrah. The inner meaning and wisdom of entering ihram lie in shedding clothes that are worldly adornments, reflecting on birth, the resurrection of the dead, the Place of Gathering, the Day of Reckoning and the Scale, and receiving divine blessings in a state of purity.

Collect yourself, complete your preparations and enter this blessed state mindfully.

Make the intention to perform the ihram prayer:
“I intend to perform the ihram prayer for the pleasure of Allah Most High.”

It is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second. If you do not know these surahs, you may recite a surah of your choice for the prayer.

Do not treat your prayer as a task to rush through. Turn to your Lord, renew your intention and prepare your heart for the Umrah you are about to begin.

Intend to perform your Umrah solely for the pleasure of Allah Most High. Ask Him to ease your journey and accept your worship.

Do not see your intention as a few hurried words, but as the heartfelt pledge that begins this blessed journey. After making your intention, you will move on to the Talbiyah.

Do not treat the Talbiyah as words you simply repeat with your tongue. Each time you recite it, turn to Allah Most High with this awareness: “My Lord, I have come at Your command.” Remember the seriousness of the worship you have begun.

Continue reciting takbir, tahlil, salawat and the Talbiyah along the way until you reach the marble paving of Masjid al-Haram. Stop reciting the Talbiyah when you reach the marble paving of Masjid al-Haram.

Dear Pilgrim, you are now in ihram. In the steps ahead, guard both your speech and your conduct in keeping with the etiquette of this blessed state.

Turn to your Lord as you recite the dua for entering the mosque. Do not let your phone, your group or the activity around you distract you. Follow staff directions and be kind to the people beside you.

Only a few steps now stand between you and the Holy Kaaba, which you have faced in prayer throughout your life. Collect yourself and remember to be grateful for this blessing.

Greet the Holy Kaaba, recite takbir and make dua to your Lord. Bring all that is in your heart to Allah Most High; pray for what is good for yourself, your family, your loved ones and the Ummah of Muhammad.

If tears come, let them flow. If they do not, you do not need to force yourself. The value of this moment does not depend on one particular emotional response. Recognising that you are in the presence of the Holy Kaaba and turning towards it with reverence and gratitude is a great blessing in itself.

After your dua, prepare for tawaf. Carry the excitement of this blessed encounter in your heart, but move calmly and carefully without causing harm or distress to those around you.