What If an Excused Person Cannot Wear Iḥrām Garments? A Shar‘i Guideline
Extracted from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What should a person do if, due to a valid excuse, he is unable to wear the specific Iḥrām garments?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd...
If a person is afflicted with a medical or physical condition that prevents him from wearing the prescribed Iḥrām garments (i.e., the two unstitched sheets), then — according to the view of the scholars — it is permissible for him to wear any clothing that he is able to wear due to his condition.
However, in exchange for this concession, an expiation becomes obligatory, and the individual must choose one from the following three options:
✿ Slaughter one sheep and distribute it among the poor of Makkah
✿ Feed six needy people, each receiving half a sāʿ (approx. 1.5kg) of food
✿ Fast for three days
This is the preferred opinion among the scholars.
This ruling is derived from the principle mentioned in the case of shaving the head due to illness, as stated in the Noble Qur’an:
﴿فَمَن كانَ مِنكُم مَريضًا أَو بِهِ أَذًى مِن رَأسِهِ فَفِديَةٌ مِن صِيامٍ أَو صَدَقَةٍ أَو نُسُكٍ﴾
(Sūrah al-Baqarah, Āyah 196)
“And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head (necessitating shaving), then he must offer a ransom — by fasting, or giving charity, or offering a sacrifice.”
The details of these expiatory options were taught by the Prophet ﷺ, and are the same as those mentioned above.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Extracted from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
❖ Question:
What should a person do if, due to a valid excuse, he is unable to wear the specific Iḥrām garments?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd...
If a person is afflicted with a medical or physical condition that prevents him from wearing the prescribed Iḥrām garments (i.e., the two unstitched sheets), then — according to the view of the scholars — it is permissible for him to wear any clothing that he is able to wear due to his condition.
❖ Expiation (Kaffārah) for Not Wearing Iḥrām Garments
However, in exchange for this concession, an expiation becomes obligatory, and the individual must choose one from the following three options:
✿ Slaughter one sheep and distribute it among the poor of Makkah
✿ Feed six needy people, each receiving half a sāʿ (approx. 1.5kg) of food
✿ Fast for three days
This is the preferred opinion among the scholars.
❖ Basis of the Ruling
This ruling is derived from the principle mentioned in the case of shaving the head due to illness, as stated in the Noble Qur’an:
﴿فَمَن كانَ مِنكُم مَريضًا أَو بِهِ أَذًى مِن رَأسِهِ فَفِديَةٌ مِن صِيامٍ أَو صَدَقَةٍ أَو نُسُكٍ﴾
(Sūrah al-Baqarah, Āyah 196)
“And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head (necessitating shaving), then he must offer a ransom — by fasting, or giving charity, or offering a sacrifice.”
The details of these expiatory options were taught by the Prophet ﷺ, and are the same as those mentioned above.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
