Ihram Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do

From the moment you make your intention for Umrah until you cut your hair at the end, you are in a state of Ihram. A few everyday actions become off limits during that time. Knowing them in advance avoids stress later.

Not allowed for everyone

• Applying perfume to the body or clothes, including scented soap, lotion and wipes
• Cutting or removing hair from any part of the body
• Clipping nails
• Marital relations and anything leading to them
• Getting engaged or performing a marriage contract
• Hunting land animals
• Arguing, fighting and foul language, which are always wrong but especially so now

Additional rules for men

• No stitched clothing shaped to the body, such as shirts, trousers or underwear
• No covering the head with a cap or hat. An umbrella is fine.
• Footwear should leave the top of the foot and ankles uncovered

Additional rules for women

• No niqab fixed to the face
• No gloves

Things that are allowed

Many pilgrims worry unnecessarily. You can shower with unscented soap, change your Ihram cloths, wear a watch, glasses, a belt or money pouch, use an umbrella, take medicine, and sleep with a blanket over the body (men leaving the head uncovered).

Common mistakes

• Using hotel shampoo, which is almost always scented
• Using scented baby wipes on the plane
• Pulling out hair absentmindedly, especially beard hair
• Forgetting to make the intention before the Miqat

What if I make a mistake?

If you do something forbidden by forgetfulness or without knowing the rule, most scholars say there is no penalty. If it was deliberate, there may be an expiation, such as fasting, feeding the poor or a sacrifice, depending on what happened. Ask a scholar rather than guessing.