How to Wear Clothes for Umrah?

How to Dress for Umrah?

What is Umrah?

Umrah is a religious practice in Islam that involves entering the state of Ihram, shaving or trimming the hair, performing Tawaf, and performing Sa’y (the walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah) at any time of the year except during the five days of Hajj. Wearing Ihram and performing Tawaf are obligatory parts of Umrah, while Sa’y and shaving or trimming the hair are considered essential duties.

Entering the State of Ihram

Entering Ihram is one of the requirements of Hajj. It refers to the state in which a person is prohibited from certain actions for a specific period while intending to perform Hajj or Umrah. Once in Ihram, a person is required to wear seamless clothes, such as towels. Before entering Ihram, a person must make the intention.

How Men Enter Ihram

Men must remove their clothes and wear the Ihram garment around their waist, ensuring it stays in place. Then, they remove their inner garments and drape the Ihram garment over their shoulders. They should wear sandals or go barefoot. This way, the only clothing on their body will be these two pieces of Ihram. Men's heads should remain uncovered, and wearing accessories such as watches and rings is permissible.

How Women Enter Ihram

Women are required to cover their bodies modestly, ensuring that their body contours are not visible, except for their hands and face. They must cover their heads with a headscarf or hijab. Although there is no specific color requirement for women’s Ihram garments, they should avoid wearing garments that contain decorative embellishments. Thus, plain and preferably non-eye-catching colors are recommended. As stated in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), "A woman in Ihram does not wear gloves or a face veil," which provides guidance on the clothing for women during Umrah.

Suggestions for Umrah

• Before going for Hajj or Umrah, familiarize yourself with general information about the country.

• Research Umrah tours before making your plans.

• Have your Ihram garment tailored to be comfortable for you before traveling.

• Since you will be wearing civilian clothes outside of Ihram, it is recommended to sew your country's flag on your clothes.

• Since you will be traveling to a hot climate, it is advisable to pack extra undergarments.

• Given the desert climate, check the seasonal weather conditions before your trip.

• For emergencies, it’s a good idea to bring along a sweater or vest.

• Women should prefer dark-colored clothes that are less likely to attract attention due to the bright colors.

• Consider comfortable sandals and flat shoes for long walks.

• For men, ensure that their Ihram garment is roomy and of good quality.