Ihram

Ihram

Ihram is the state of ritual purity necessary for participating in hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to the Ka'ba at Makka which takes place during the twelfth month of the Islamic year. It is symbolised by the white garments which the male pilgrim wears before entering Makka. The garment is made from two pieces of plain, unsewn, white cloth which cover the upper and lower parts of the body. Women also wear white. Clothes are often used in everyday life to designate social status. The fact that all pilgrims are dressed in a similar manner reminds them that all are equal before God. The white clothes used to make the garments also reflect the shrouds in which Muslims make their final journey and are thus a reminder of their mortality.

Men must not cover their heads nor women their faces. Pilgrims must not get engaged, marry or take part in sexual activities whilst in the state of ihram. There are other rules such as not taking part in arguments or fighting and not hunting game. The ihram rules are designed to help pilgrims put aside everyday concerns in order to focus their concentration on God. They remind the pilgrim that the whole of creation belongs to God the Creator and that their appropriate response to this should be a way of life characterised by qualities such as trust, modesty and purity and a sense of brotherhood and equality with the rest of humanity and gentleness and non-aggression towards the rest of creation.