Is It Permissible for a Woman in Ihram to Change Her Clothes?
Source: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
Can a woman in the state of Ihrām change her clothes? Is there any specific clothing prescribed for women during Ihrām?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
It is completely permissible for a Muḥrim woman to change her clothes while in the state of Ihrām, whether the change is due to:
① A valid reason such as heat, dirtiness, or discomfort, or
② No specific reason at all.
However, it is essential that the new clothes must not be of such nature that they display adornment or beauty in front of non-maḥram men. That is, the clothing should not be attractive or decorative in a way that catches the attention of unrelated men.
There is no restriction on changing the garments in which the woman originally assumed Ihrām, because there is no specific attire prescribed for women in Ihrām. A woman may wear any simple and modest garment that maintains her ḥijāb and conceals her body.
✿ Wearing a Niqāb is prohibited during the state of Ihrām.
➤ The Niqāb is a face covering that has slits for the eyes.
✿ Wearing gloves is also prohibited during Ihrām.
➤ Gloves are garments that cover the hands entirely.
In contrast, men do have a prescribed dress code for Ihrām:
◈ One lower garment (Iẓār)
◈ One upper sheet (Ridā’)
Men are not allowed to wear the following during Ihrām:
✖ Shirts
✖ Trousers
✖ Turbans
✖ Caps
✖ Socks, etc.
✔ It is permissible for a woman to change her Ihrām garments, provided she observes the boundaries of Sharī‘ah and does not wear clothing that expresses adornment in front of non-maḥram men.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
❖ Question
Can a woman in the state of Ihrām change her clothes? Is there any specific clothing prescribed for women during Ihrām?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
It is completely permissible for a Muḥrim woman to change her clothes while in the state of Ihrām, whether the change is due to:
① A valid reason such as heat, dirtiness, or discomfort, or
② No specific reason at all.
However, it is essential that the new clothes must not be of such nature that they display adornment or beauty in front of non-maḥram men. That is, the clothing should not be attractive or decorative in a way that catches the attention of unrelated men.
There is no restriction on changing the garments in which the woman originally assumed Ihrām, because there is no specific attire prescribed for women in Ihrām. A woman may wear any simple and modest garment that maintains her ḥijāb and conceals her body.
❖ Important Guidelines for a Woman in Ihrām
✿ Wearing a Niqāb is prohibited during the state of Ihrām.
➤ The Niqāb is a face covering that has slits for the eyes.
✿ Wearing gloves is also prohibited during Ihrām.
➤ Gloves are garments that cover the hands entirely.
❖ What is the Specific Clothing for Men in Ihrām?
In contrast, men do have a prescribed dress code for Ihrām:
◈ One lower garment (Iẓār)
◈ One upper sheet (Ridā’)
Men are not allowed to wear the following during Ihrām:
✖ Shirts
✖ Trousers
✖ Turbans
✖ Caps
✖ Socks, etc.
❖ Conclusion
✔ It is permissible for a woman to change her Ihrām garments, provided she observes the boundaries of Sharī‘ah and does not wear clothing that expresses adornment in front of non-maḥram men.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
