Women’s Ihram Dress Code for Hajj and Umrah

Understanding the Dress Code for Women in Ihram for Hajj and Umrah

First and foremost, both men and women should understand that the name of Ihram is not a particular piece of clothing, but rather the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah. Therefore, the Ihram for both men and women is the same, which is the intention of performing the ritual (Hajj or Umrah). For Umrah, the phrase “اللَّهمَّ لبَّيكَ عمرةً” is said, and for Hajj, the phrase “اللَّهمَّ لبَّيكَ حجًّا” is recited. Upon saying these words, both men and women enter into the state of Ihram.

As for the issue of clothing in the state of Ihram, there is a difference between men’s and women’s clothing. For men, stitched clothing is prohibited, and they must wear unstitched garments while in Ihram. However, Islam has not prohibited women from wearing stitched clothing, keeping in mind their dignity and modesty. Therefore, women will wear stitched clothes in their state of Ihram.

Prohibition of Niqab, Burqa, and Gloves for Women in Ihram

Women are permitted to wear stitched clothing for Ihram, but two types of clothing are prohibited: the niqab (face veil) and gloves. The proof of this prohibition is the following Hadith:

Abdullah bin Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

: ولَا تَنْتَقِبِ المَرْأَةُ المُحْرِمَةُ، ولَا تَلْبَسِ القُفَّازَيْنِ (صحيح البخاري:1838)
Translation: In the state of Ihram, a woman should not wear a niqab or gloves.

Women in the Arabian culture used to wear a niqab, which is also called a burqa, to cover their faces, leaving one or two holes for the eyes. Similarly, they would wear gloves to cover their hands (fingers, palms, and arms). In the state of Ihram, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ forbade both of these garments. From this Hadith, it is also evident that the women during the time of the Prophet ﷺ used to cover their faces and hands.

Clarification of Misconceptions

There are two common misconceptions among people, especially women. The first misconception is: “Women are not required to cover their faces in Ihram.” The second misconception is: “A woman should not let her clothing touch her cheeks in Ihram.” It is important to understand that both of these statements are incorrect. I am writing this brief article to clarify these misunderstandings and correct the views of women.

Reason for the Misconception

The question arises: Why have these misconceptions become widespread? The answer is that a wrong interpretation of the Hadith has led to this. The Hadith mentions that women should not wear a niqab in Ihram, so people misunderstood it to mean that women should not cover their faces at all or that the face should not be covered with cloth. This is clearly not the intention of the Hadith, and no Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ forbids women from covering their faces. The intention of the Hadith is to prohibit women from wearing specific stitched garments such as niqab and gloves. They are allowed to cover their faces and hands with other types of clothing.

When explaining the meaning of this Hadith, Sheikh Ibn Baz said that the prohibition is on clothing that is stitched in a specific manner to fit the shape of the face and hands, but this does not mean that women are prohibited from covering their faces or hands. As some people mistakenly believe, the real intention is that women should cover their face and hands without wearing a niqab or gloves. (Mujmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baz: 5/223)

Evidence for Covering the Face in Ihram

After understanding the meaning of the aforementioned Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, I will now provide clear evidence showing that women do indeed cover their faces in the state of Ihram. During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the female companions would cover their faces while in Ihram.

A narration from Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (رضی اللہ عنہا):
كان الركبًان يمرون بنا ونحن مع رسول اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم محرمات فإذا حاذوا بنا سدلت إحدانا جلبًابها من رأسها على وجهها فإذا جاوزونا كشفناه
(Narrated by Abu Dawood: 1833, Ibn Majah: 2935, Ahmad: 24021)
Translation: “When the riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the state of Ihram, when they came near us, one of us would cover her face with her cloak from her head to her face, and when they passed by, we would uncover it.”

Judgment on the Hadith:
This narration is reported with a weak chain due to the presence of Yazid bin Abi Ziyad, a weak narrator, which is why scholars have classified this Hadith as weak. However, because there is a correct narration from Asma’ bint Abi Bakr in this regard, Sheikh Albani has graded this Hadith as Hasan in his compilation of “Mishkat al-Masabih.”

Now, let’s look at the narration from Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (رضی اللہ عنہا):

Narration from Asma’ bint Abi Bakr:
عن أسماء بنت أبي بكر – رحمه الله – قالت: «كُنَّا نُغَطِّيَ وُجُوهَنَا مِنَ الرِّجَالِ، وَكُنَّا نَتَمَشَّطُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ فِي الإِحْرَامِ»
(Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah: 4/203, Al-Hakim: 1/454)
Translation: “Asma’ bint Abi Bakr said, ‘We women would cover our faces from the men during Ihram, and before that, we used to comb our hair while in Ihram.'”

Judgment on the Hadith:
This narration is authentic, and Sheikh Albani has declared it to be Sahih in his work Irwa’ al-Ghalil (4/212).

Similarly, Sheikh Albani mentioned another narration in Irwa’ al-Ghalil and declared it authentic:

Narration from Fatimah bint al-Munzir:
عن فاطمةَ بنتِ المنذرِ أنها قالت كنا نُخمِّرُ وجوهَنا ونحن مُحرماتٌ ونحن مع أسماءَ بنتِ أبِي بكرٍ الصدِّيقِ۔
(Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 4/212)
Translation: “Fatimah bint al-Munzir said, ‘We women would cover our faces while in Ihram, and we were with Asma’ bint Abi Bakr.'”

Method of Dressing for Women in Ihram

From the clear evidence, it is evident that women cover their faces in the state of Ihram. The question is: how should the face be covered? The answer is that for the rest of the body, there will be a garment such as a qamis (shirt) and abaya or something similar. For covering the face and hands, a wide dupatta (scarf) or udderni (shawl) should be used, which will cover the head, face, and both hands.

Thus, it is permissible for women to wear a salwaar, qamis, and mouzee (socks) while in Ihram. Furthermore, there is no need to remove items of adornment such as ribbons, clips, earrings, rings, watches, bangles, and anklets from the ears, nose, head, feet, and hands.

In addition, the prohibited actions during Ihram include: applying perfume, cutting hair and nails, marriage contract, sexual relations, and hunting.

Further Clarification on the Topic:

Now, put aside the thought that covering the face in Ihram is not allowed, and adopt the correct understanding that covering the face has never been prohibited. Even in the state of Ihram during Hajj and Umrah, covering the face is permitted. This is the correct view.

Due to a lack of proper knowledge, some women wear English caps on their heads in the state of Ihram to avoid the cloth touching their face. This is incorrect. The proper way is to cover the face with a scarf (dupatta), not to wear a cap. There is no harm in the cloth touching the cheeks.

If the Ihram clothing gets dirty or needs to be changed due to necessity, there is no issue in doing so. A woman in Ihram can change her clothes just as she can take a bath while in Ihram.

If a woman mistakenly or unknowingly wears a niqab in Ihram or performs Umrah in that state, there is no sin upon her for forgetting.

Now that you understand the meaning of Ihram (i.e., the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah), once a woman completes her Umrah (i.e., after performing the final act of cutting her hair), she will exit from Ihram simply by making the intention. There is no need for her to change clothes or take a bath.