Millions of Muslims travel to the house of Allah every year from different parts of the globe to perform Umrah. Muslims can perform Hajj only during the month of Zill hajj, while pilgrims can go to perform umrah all year. Ramadan is the month of blessings, and the winter months are colder; both are favorable periods for lesser pilgrimage. Muslims can easily find cheap
umrah packages in the UK to visit the house of Allah.
Definition of Ihram
Ihram is derived from the Arabic verb harama, which means to be forbidden. A pilgrim should be at a level of purity before entering the Makkah, whether he wants to perform Hajj or Umrah. The pilgrims should follow the restrictions of Ihram to perform Umrah or Hajj. A person is referred to as a Muhrim in the state of Ihram.
Men’s Ihram
Ihram for men includes two simple white sheets. These sheets are unstitched, and men wrap them around their bodies while performing Umrah. These sheets must be new, neat, and clean; otherwise, Umrah will be invalid.
Women’s Ihram
As compared to men, women‘s Ihram is different. They can wear any ordinary light-colored dress for Umrah. Women are not allowed to cover their faces, but they should cover their heads. A hijab to cover the hair is compulsory. They cannot apply any fragrance or make-up while wearing Ihram.
To wear Ihram at Jeddah airport is against the law
Ihram must be worn before crossing the Meeqat. Pilgrims should wear it for 45 minutes before arriving in Jeddah. Pilgrims can also wear Ihram on planes and make intentions when the pilot announces the estimated time for Meeqat. Sometimes pilgrims enter Ihram at the Jeddah airport, which is a violation of Ihram. Al-Juhfah is the closest Meeqat to Jeddah. It is only 160 kilometers away from Jeddah. All the international flights of Umrah Land in the Jeddah. As
Qatar Airways are also offering the Umrah Flights, so it have also a customer care office at Jeddah Airport. Pilgrims should travel to the Meeqat to put on ihram. If pilgrims violate Ihram, they should sacrifice an animal, although Umrah will be valid.
Difference of opinion among the scholars
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars as to whether Jeddah can be used as a Meeqat for performing Umrah or not. Pilgrims who want to perform Umrah and want to go to Madina first can put on Ihram at the Madina hotel or at the designated Meeqat Masjid Dhul Hulayfah, and it is on the way to Makkah. Muslims should take a cautious approach to this.
The example of Hazrat Muhammad SAW for us is
Hazrat Muhammad SAW set an example for Muslims. Once, when he traveled from Madina to Hajj, he stayed at Meeqat, known as Dhul Hulayfah, and entered the state of Ihram there after taking a bath. Dhul Hulayfah is a Meeqat; it is on the way to Makkah.
The accepted view among scholars
Pilgrims who travel by plane should wear ihram before landing in Jeddah because they will fly over the Meeqat before landing. In most Middle Eastern countries, pilgrims have the facility at airports to prepare themselves for Ihram before boarding the plane. But if the pilgrims are coming from North America or European countries, they may experience difficulties. Some scholars think Jeddah is a Meeqat for air travelers because they think they did not pass through the Meeqat while flying. Because they think flight does not touch the ground, and in just a few minutes, they fly over the Meeqat. Therefore, these scholars seem reasonable.
According to the second opinion, if it is difficult for you to assume Ihram before boarding the plane or in the plane, you can put on Ihram at Jeddah airport.
Importance of Ihram
Ihram is a state of purity and a state of mind; it develops a spiritual relationship with God. These two pieces of white clothing remove all the social and cultural differences. And establishes equality before God.
