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| Arabic | إحرام |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | ih-RAHM |
| Etymology | From the Arabic root ح-ر-م (h-r-m), which carries the core meaning of 'to be sacred, inviolable, or forbidden.' The same root gives us haram (sacred sanctuary), harem (protected quarters), and muharram (the sacred month). The word ihram itself is a verbal noun (masdar) from the Form IV verb أحرم (ahrama), meaning 'to enter into a sacred state' or 'to make something inviolable upon oneself.' The root reflects the dual concept of sanctity and prohibition — by entering ihram, the pilgrim simultaneously enters a state of holiness and accepts certain prohibitions upon themselves. |
Ihram(إحرام) Ihram is the sacred state of ritual purity and consecration that a Muslim must enter before performing the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. It encompasses both a specific intention (niyyah) and the wearing of prescribed garments.
إحرام
Ihram represents far more than a dress code — it is a comprehensive spiritual state that transforms the pilgrim's entire existence for the duration of the sacred rites. Upon entering ihram, the pilgrim makes a conscious intention (niyyah) to begin the pilgrimage, performs a ritual bath (ghusl), and dons the prescribed garments. For men, this consists of two seamless, unstitched white cloths: the izar (lower garment wrapped around the waist) and the rida (upper garment draped over the shoulders). Women wear their normal modest clothing, with the face and hands uncovered according to most scholars. Once in the state of ihram, a set of prohibitions (mahzurat al-ihram) takes effect. These include cutting or removing hair, trimming nails, wearing perfume or scented products, engaging in marital relations, hunting land animals, and — for men — wearing stitched clothing or covering the head. These restrictions serve a profound spiritual purpose: they strip away markers of wealth, status, and vanity, placing all pilgrims on equal footing before Allah. The state of ihram is entered at designated boundary points called miqat, which surround Makkah at various distances. A pilgrim who crosses the miqat boundary without entering ihram must return to the miqat or offer a compensatory sacrifice (fidyah). The ihram state is exited partially after the stoning of Jamarat al-Aqabah on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (allowing most prohibitions to be lifted) and fully after completing Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa'i.
From the Arabic root ح-ر-م (h-r-m), which carries the core meaning of 'to be sacred, inviolable, or forbidden.' The same root gives us haram (sacred sanctuary), harem (protected quarters), and muharram (the sacred month). The word ihram itself is a verbal noun (masdar) from the Form IV verb أحرم (ahrama), meaning 'to enter into a sacred state' or 'to make something inviolable upon oneself.' The root reflects the dual concept of sanctity and prohibition — by entering ihram, the pilgrim simultaneously enters a state of holiness and accepts certain prohibitions upon themselves.
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