A list of ihram prohibitions for men and women, and the consequences of violating them.
After making the ihram intention, a pilgrim enters a special state that requires avoiding a set of prohibitions. These prohibitions aim to preserve the purity and solemnity of worship while training self-restraint. Violating them may result in fidyah or dam, and in certain conditions may even damage the worship.
Some prohibitions apply to both men and women. Among them are applying fragrance to the body or clothing after entering ihram, cutting or plucking hair and nails, and hunting or killing land game. Also included is the prohibition of felling or uprooting trees and plants within the sacred precinct.
Another prohibition applying to both is contracting a marriage, proposing, or marrying off others while in ihram. Likewise, all forms of marital relations and their sensual preludes are strictly forbidden. Intimate relations before tahallul are a major violation that can damage the worship and demand a heavy expiation.
There are also prohibitions specific to men. A man in ihram may not wear stitched clothing shaped to the body, such as shirts, trousers, and undershirts. He is also forbidden to cover his head directly, for example with a cap or attached headcover. Instead, he wears the two sheets of ihram cloth.
Meanwhile, the prohibition specific to women in ihram is covering the face with a veil that touches the face directly and wearing gloves. A woman must still cover the rest of her awrah with ordinary clothing, and may cover her face with cloth that does not touch it when needed to shield herself from view.
The consequences of violations differ by type. For violations such as using fragrance or cutting hair, a fidyah generally applies with a choice: fasting a number of days, feeding the poor, or slaughtering an animal. Major violations such as marital relations before tahallul carry their own, heavier rulings.
Understanding ihram prohibitions is not to instil fear but to make pilgrims more careful and aware. Many violations occur out of ignorance, such as unintentionally using strongly scented soap or covering the head while sleeping. Good manasik guidance will therefore emphasise these practical matters so pilgrims can safeguard their worship calmly until tahallul.
