1. Delaying entry into ihram until the aircraft has landed, despite reaching a point parallel to the miqat by sea or air. This is contrary to the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
«هُنَّ لَهُنَّ وَلِمَنْ أَتَى عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ غَيْرِهِنَّ مِمَّنْ أَرَادَ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ.»
‘These miqats are the places for entering ihram for their residents and for every outsider who passes through them intending to perform Hajj or Umrah.’[1]
Therefore, anyone arriving by aircraft or ship must put on the ihram garments before reaching the miqat, or keep the ihram garments at hand so that he can put them on as soon as he reaches the miqat. If someone on an aircraft forgets to put on the ihram garments, or is unable to take them out of his bag, he should remove his regular clothing and put on an upper garment and a lower wrap. If he does not have the opportunity to wear a lower wrap, he should temporarily cover his private parts by wearing pajamas or trousers. Then, when he has the opportunity, he should remove the pajamas and put on the ihram garments. He will not be required to offer any compensation for this, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
«مَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ إِزَارًا فَلْيَلْبَسِ السَّرَاوِيلَ.»
‘Whoever does not have a lower wrap should wear pajamas.’[2]
2. Many women think that there are specific garments for ihram, such as black, green, or white clothing. This has no basis. Women may wear any clothing. However, the clothing must not be such as to display adornment or resemble the clothing of men or non-Muslims.
3. Many people think that the ihram garments may not be changed even if they become dirty or torn. This is incorrect. The correct view is that a person in ihram is permitted to remove the ihram garments and change them whenever he wishes.
4. Many women place a piece of wood or something similar between their faces and their niqabs so that the niqab does not touch the face. This too is a baseless custom. No Muslim woman in the early period of Islam did this. Rather, when non-mahram men are present, women should conceal their faces by letting their head coverings hang down over them without wearing a niqab. When no non-mahram men are present, they should leave their faces uncovered. There is no problem if the head covering touches the face.
5. Although intending to perform Umrah or Hajj, many women do not enter ihram from the miqat while menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding. This is a clear mistake. It is obligatory for a woman experiencing postnatal bleeding or menstruation to enter ihram from the miqat as well. Moreover, they too have been instructed to bathe and cleanse themselves, just like women who are not experiencing postnatal bleeding or menstruation. Women experiencing postnatal bleeding or menstruation may do everything that all other pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah do. They may only not perform tawaf of the House of Allah until they become pure. This is because when Asma bint Umays began experiencing postnatal bleeding at the miqat after giving birth, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to her,
«اغْتَسِلِى وَاسْتَثْفِرِى بِثَوْبٍ وَأَحْرِمِى.»
‘Perform ghusl, use a cloth to contain the bleeding, and enter ihram.’[3] And when Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) began menstruating while in ihram, he said to her,
«إِنَّ هَذَا أَمْرٌ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى بَنَاتِ آدَمَ فَاقْضِي مَا يَقْضِي الْحَاجُّ غَيْرَ أَنْ لاَ تَطُوفِي بِالْبَيْتِ».
‘This is something that Allah Most High has decreed for the daughters of Adam. (It is bound to happen.) Therefore, you may do everything that the other pilgrims do, except that you must not perform tawaf of the House of Allah.’[4]
6. Believing that it is obligatory to perform two rak‘ahs of salah when entering ihram.
7. Many people think that the prohibited acts of ihram must be avoided as soon as the ihram garments are put on. However, the correct view is that those acts become prohibited only when a person makes the intention to enter ihram, regardless of whether he puts on the ihram garments before or after that.
8. Many people terminate the Hajj of children and adolescents when they see them becoming tired after entering ihram. This is also wrong. Rather, the child’s guardian should support and assist the child in properly completing the rites of Hajj. The guardian should perform on the child’s behalf those rites that the child is unable to perform.
9. Reciting the Talbiyah in unison is not sanctioned by the Shariah, because the Talbiyah is an act of worship that may only be performed in the manner in which it has been reported. There is no evidence that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or his noble Companions recited the Talbiyah in unison.
10. Refraining from reciting the Talbiyah while engaging in idle talk or actions, or in tasks that could be done later. Even more serious is wasting precious time in backbiting, talebearing, songs, or any futile activity.
Notes
[1]. Bukhari: 1524; Muslim: 1181.
[2]. Bukhari: 1843; Muslim: 1178.
[3]. Ibid.
[4]. Bukhari: 294; Muslim: 1211.