Ihram rules
What is forbidden in ihram?
In ihram you may not use perfume, cut hair or nails, hunt land animals, have marital relations or quarrel. Brothers also may not wear stitched clothing or cover the head, and sisters may not cover the face with anything that touches it.
Not permitted in ihram
- Perfume or anything scented, on the body, the clothing or in food and drink.
- Cutting or removing hair or nails.
- Marital relations and anything that leads to them.
- Hunting land animals or helping someone to hunt.
- Argument, foul speech and sin of every kind.
- For brothers, clothing stitched to the shape of the body, covering the head or the face, and shoes that cover the raised bone of the foot.
- For sisters, covering the face with anything that touches it.
If a rule is broken
If a rule of ihram is broken, even by mistake or through forgetfulness, the Hanafi school still sets a consequence, usually charity or a sacrifice depending on what was done and how much. Ask a scholar in Makkah, as the details depend on the case. See the penalties in brief and what is allowed in ihram.
More questions
Can I touch the Kaaba or the Black Stone in ihram?
Yes. They carry a scent, but touching them is fine as long as you intend the sunnah and not the fragrance.
Is arguing forbidden in ihram?
Yes. Argument, foul speech and sin of every kind are not permitted, and Allah tells the pilgrims there is to be no wrangling.
What if I break a rule by mistake?
The Hanafi school still sets a consequence, usually charity or a sacrifice. Ask a scholar about your exact case.
Read the full guide
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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.