Umrah is a spiritual experience of great magnitude among Muslims; it is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which purifies the soul and makes one closer to God. The core of this religious trip is the state of ihram, which is a particular condition every pilgrim has to enter prior to the rituals of Umrah.
Overall, rather than a particular form of garment, ihram is also a total change in the mind, body, and soul, which prepares the pilgrim to have a special experience with the divine. The pilgrimage commences when one enters the state of Ihram, which is the prelude to the rituals.
It entails certain intentions, prayers and blessings in simple and unstitched clothes. This religious obedience is full of imagery, depriving us of worldly things and social ranks that characterise our everyday existence. Many pilgrims who are performing umrah for the first time from the UK, this article will explain the importance of ihram to them.
Meaning of Ihram
Ihram is not simply an illusion to the two white unstitched pieces of clothing used by men, or of the modest clothing worn by women.
It is a holy purity and blessing where a pilgrim gets into the process of making a formal intention at Miqat. To most of the travellers, particularly those who have booked Umrah packages from the UK, this is the real start of their spiritual journey.
Once the pilgrim has made such an intention and recited Talbiyah, he is officially in the state of ihram. The name ihram is a consequence of the Arabic root Haram, which is translated to mean forbidden.
The Garments of Ihram
The ihram is made up of two plain white pieces of unsewn cloth for men. The “izar” is a single piece that fits around the lower half of the body, beginning at the waist down to the bottom, and the “Rida” is a piece of clothing that fits over the upper half of the body.
Men’s heads should not be covered. This basic clothing is used to represent the deprivation of any status in the world and wealth. In the case of women, the ihram doesn’t specify the outfit.
They are also obliged to dress decently, which covers the whole body with only the hands and face showing. Clothes can be of any colour, though they must not be very decorative and noticeable. Women are supposed to follow the hijab code. Women are allowed to wear sewn clothes, unlike men.
The Spiritual Symbology of Ihram
The ihram condition is very symbolic as it has a strong spiritual connotation that adds depth to the pilgrimage experience of a pilgrim. Every single element of Ihram is meant to create a state of humility, patience and devotion.
A Symbol of Equality and Unity
One of the most powerful symbols is the sense of complete equality that the ihram introduces. Millions of pilgrims of every race, poor and rich, come together in Mecca.
All distinction is lost in the same plain white garments. No matter if you are a sultan or a farmer, all are equal in obedience to Allah. This is a highly powerful image of unity. This is a pillar of Islam as it reminds the Muslim community in the world that they are United by a common faith and brotherhood.
Ihram: A Reminder of the Day of Judgement
Such plain, shroud-like Ihram clothing also reminds one of death and the day of judgement in a very striking manner. Those two white things are similar to the burial shroud that every Muslim is covered with after death.
This visual contrast motivates pilgrims to consider. How life is so temporary and how they are bound to come back to Allah. It brings about reflection and repentance and inspires the pilgrim to repent his sins and struggle to be just. Such behaviour plays a critical role in attaining the spiritual cleansing that Umrah provides.
Cultivating Patience and Self-Control
The many limitations of ihram are not arbitrary; they are a kind of spiritual training. Through such practices as avoiding behaviour such as arguing, perfume wearing, hair on nail trimming, and sexual practices with a partner, pilgrims are also taught to be patient, self-disciplined, and to control their desires.
This sensitisation state achieves this by keeping them focused on their worship and not being distracted. The difficulties encountered while in ihram put a pilgrim’s personality to the test.
When one overcomes such difficulties through patience, the reward is tremendous, and the spiritual development is immense. Now that the Saudi government has changed the rules, the Umrah visa is only valid for 30 days.
Conclusion
After wearing ihram, Muslims enter into a sacred physical and mental state. Two pieces of white garments hold many spiritual meanings.
Ihram is a distorted view of total submission to Allah’s will. Ihram symbolises purity, humbleness and equality before Allah.
After leaving the regular clothing and personal comforts, Muslims practice detachment from materialistic things. The ihram also reminds the pilgrims of death, life after death and the day of judgement.