Ihram for women
What do women wear for Umrah ihram?
There are no special ihram clothes for women. Sisters wear their ordinary modest clothing in any colour, avoid perfume, and keep the face free of anything that touches it.
Clothing
Wear your ordinary modest clothing in any colour, with socks and shoes if you wish. Avoid perfume, including scented creams and deodorant.
The face is not to be covered by anything that touches it. If you wear a niqab, use a cap with a peak or a visor that holds the cloth away from the skin.
Intention and talbiyah
The intention is the same as for brothers, and you recite the talbiyah quietly. Bathe with the intention of ihram first, for cleanliness, and pray the two rak'ahs of ihram unless you are in your period.
If your period is due
You may enter ihram while on your period, but you leave the two rak'ahs and wait for purity before tawaf. Read Umrah during a period and the full guide to Umrah for women.
More questions
Can sisters wear socks and shoes in ihram?
Yes. Socks and shoes are fine for sisters. The face is what must stay uncovered.
Do sisters have to wear white?
No. Sisters may wear any colour of modest clothing.
Do sisters raise their voices in the talbiyah?
No. Brothers recite it aloud, and sisters recite it quietly.
Related questions
Read the full guide
Perform your Umrah with confidence
Follow every rite in order, with counters and duas in Arabic, in our step by step Umrah guide. To study the Hanafi rulings behind it with qualified teachers, see our courses, or explore our apps. Ihya us Sunnah is sustained by its community, so please consider supporting our work.
This guide follows the Hanafi method and is based on Shaykh Mufti Wajid Iqbal's Umrah book, Essential Islam. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.