A guide to entering ihram from preparation at the miqat, wearing the ihram garments, the Umrah intention, and reciting talbiyah.
Ihram is the gateway to the worship of Umrah. It is not merely wearing white garments, but the intention to begin worship along with readiness to observe a set of prohibitions. Understanding how to enter ihram correctly is therefore essential provision for every pilgrim.
Before entering ihram, pilgrims are encouraged to perform several recommended acts. Among them are a full-body wash, cleansing oneself, tidying the nails and hair, and applying fragrance to the body before donning the ihram garments. For men, fragrance may be applied to the body before the intention, but not onto the ihram cloth itself.
The ihram garment for men consists of two unstitched white sheets: one wrapped around the lower body (izar) and one draped over the shoulder (rida'). Men may not cover the head or wear stitched clothing shaped to the body. Women, meanwhile, wear ordinary clothing that covers the awrah, without a face veil that touches the face and without gloves.
Once prepared, it is recommended to perform a two-rak'ah voluntary prayer before ihram if possible. Then the pilgrim intends to enter the worship of Umrah. This intention is the essence of ihram, and the place to begin it is the miqat.
The well-known wording of the Umrah intention is 'Labbaika 'umratan', meaning I answer Your call to perform Umrah. Most important is that the intention is settled in the heart to perform Umrah for Allah, while verbal pronouncement serves to help bring that intention to mind.
After the intention, the pilgrim begins reciting the talbiyah, the phrase that characterises one in ihram. The talbiyah is repeated throughout the journey to Makkah, especially when changing states or meeting other groups, until the pilgrim begins tawaf.
From the moment the ihram intention is pronounced, the pilgrim officially enters the state of ihram and is bound by its prohibitions. It is therefore strongly recommended to ensure all needs are settled before the intention, so as not to do things that would become prohibited after entering ihram.
Performing ihram calmly and with full awareness helps the pilgrim feel its true meaning: shedding worldly attributes, becoming equal to all other pilgrims in simple white cloth, and presenting the heart fully to answer the call of Allah.
