What If an Excused Person Cannot Wear Iḥrām Garments? A Shar‘i Guideline
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
