Shrouding a Woman in Ihram: Understanding the Islamic Ruling

Table of Contents

The Islamic Guidelines for Shrouding a Woman in Ihram

The Islamic Guidelines for Shrouding a Woman in Ihram

Question: In the state of ihram, a man is shrouded in his ihram cloths, his head is not covered, and no perfume is applied. How is a woman in ihram shrouded?

Answer: When a companion passed away in the state of ihram at Arafat, the Prophet ﷺ ordered that he be washed and shrouded in two pieces of cloth like the ihram. The hadith states: Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated:

While a man was riding (his Mount) in `Arafat, he fell down from it (his Mount) and broke his neck (and died). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Wash him with water and Sidr and shroud him in two pieces of cloth, and neither perfume him, nor cover his head, for he will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection saying, ‘Labbaik,’ (i.e. like a pilgrim).” (Sahih Bukhari: 1265)

This ruling applies to men in ihram, as their specific ihram clothing consists of two unsewn pieces of cloth. Therefore, if a man dies in ihram, he is shrouded in two pieces of unsewn cloth. For women, there are no specific ihram garments like men except that they cannot wear face coverings or gloves. In ihram, women cover their entire bodies, including the face and hands. If a woman dies in ihram, she is shrouded in three pieces of cloth as is done in regular situations, and her head, face, and hands are covered. However, perfume will not be applied, nor will her nails or hair be trimmed.