Umrah Clothes: What to Wear for a Comfortable and Respectful Pilgrimage
Umrah Clothes: What to Wear for a Comfortable and Respectful Pilgrimage
Umrah is a spiritually enriching journey that holds immense significance in the hearts of all Muslims. It offers a unique opportunity to refresh one’s faith and cleanse one’s soul. One of the most important aspects of this spiritual journey is Umrah clothes, as the attire we wear during the pilgrimage must adhere to the principles of modesty, simplicity, and respect for the sacred nature of this experience. In this blog, let’s understand more about the essentials of Umrah clothes, the suitable Umrah clothing for ladies, the significance of the ihram dress, and how to wear the ihram correctly.
Understanding Umrah Clothes
When choosing your Umrah clothes, it is important to remember two words: simplicity and modesty. Your attire should reflect your respect for the sacred journey and should be modest and simple. As pilgrims, you are expected to wear garments that don’t attract unnecessary attention, allowing you to focus entirely on your devotion and worship. The spiritual journey of Umrah is a deeply personal and enriching experience. Dressing appropriately is a way to embody the humility that the pilgrimage symbolises. You should choose loose-fitting and breathable fabrics like cotton or linen that can help you stay comfortable in the heat. For men, this would mean avoiding stitched clothing, while women have more flexibility in their umrah clothes, as long as they are modest and simple.
Ihram Dress for Men
The ihram dress for men consists of two white cloths, without seams, hems, or any buttons. It is a symbolic and practical garment that is worn by all male pilgrims during Umrah and Hajj. Out of the two cloths, one cloth that is also known as izar, is wrapped around the waist and covers the area between the navel and feet. The other cloth, also known as rida, covers the left shoulder at all times. The right shoulder can be exposed while performing tawaf of the Kaaba. The Ihram dress symbolises equality, humility, and a detachment from materialism. Men should avoid wearing any stitched garments, underwear, or any clothing that covers their head.
Umrah Clothing for Ladies
When it comes to the Umrah clothing for ladies, there is more flexibility than for men. Women should wear simple, modest, and loose-fitting clothes that cover their bodies completely. The ihram clothes can have seams and buttons, but they should not have any adornments or colours. Similar to men, the ihram clothes for women should also be white, symbolising the humility and equality of the sacred pilgrimage. The entire body should be covered, except the hands and face should remain exposed. Which means, you should not wear a niqab or your hijab in such a way that it covers your face. It is important to choose breathable fabrics like cotton or linen to be comfortable in the hot and humid weather. Choose comfortable footwear that covers the entire foot and isn’t uncomfortable for walking long distances.
How to Wear Ihram: A Step-by-Step Process
Wearing the Ihram clothes correctly is extremely important as it marks the start of entering the sacred state, also called Ihram. This marks the beginning of your pilgrimage, be it Umrah or Hajj. Once you have entered the state of Ihram, you can start performing the sacred rituals of your pilgrimage. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wear the Ihram correctly:
- The first step before wearing the Ihram is the purification process. You will need to take a bath or ghusl to purify yourself. Trim your nails and remove any unwanted hair.
- To wear the ihram – For men, you will need two unstitched cloths, the upper cloth is called rida, and the lower one is called the izar. Start by wearing the izar, and wrap the cloth around your waist. The cloth should cover your body from the navel to the ankles. Secure it with a belt or by tucking it in. Drape the rida over your shoulders so that it covers your upper body. The right side should be longer than the left side so that it modestly covers you. Wear sandals, but make sure they do not cover your ankles.
- For women, there is flexibility in wearing the ihram compared to men. You can wear simple, modest clothes that cover your body completely and meet the guidelines set by Islam. There is no dedicated colour requirement for women, but many women choose to wear white as a symbol of the equality and humility of the sacred pilgrimage. The entire body should be covered except the hands and face. Wear comfortable sandals, but make sure they don’t cover your ankles.
- Once you have worn the ihram, you can make the intention or Niyaah for Umrah or Hajj and start reciting the Talbiyah: “Labbayk Allhahumma Labbayak
Conclusion
The spiritual journey of Umrah is an experience that brings immense rewards and peace of mind for all Muslims. Whether you are planning Umrah for the first time or returning from another pilgrimage, understanding the essentials of Umrah clothes, the suitable ihram dress for men, the appropriate Umrah clothing for ladies, and how to wear ihram is essential. If you are looking for Umrah packages, visit Adila Hajj and Umrah Services for tailored packages that suit all your needs for a comfortable and memorable pilgrimage.
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