4. Hajj Q and A:

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتة 

  بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِٱلرَّحِيمِ

4. What are the things to be avoided during ihram and Hajj

While a Muslim enter into ihram, he has to forget the material comforts and show of worldly thing. He is commanded to abandon every unnecessary thing for the sake of Allah and submit himself before his Lord.

Things to avoid in the state of ihram and Hajj:

Ihram garments:

Ibn 'Umar (RA) reported that a person asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ what a Muhrim should put on as dress? Thereupon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Do not put on a shirt or a turban, or trousers or a cap, or leather stockings except one who does not find shoes; he may put on stockings but he should trim them below the ankles. And do not wear clothes to which saffron or wars is applied." (Sahih Bukhari. Book 7, Number 2647)

It is forbidden for a male pilgrim, in ihram, wearing sewn garments, to wear trousers, to wear any garment with buttons; or cloth that is used as cloak or a head cover. But there is no objection in having a sewn purse/wallet or sewn belt worn around the waist or over the shoulder. Ladies can wear sewn dresses, but not gloves to cover their hands, not permitted to wearing niqab to cover their face.

Till Hajj is over the head should not be covered with anything. If a person wants he can have umbrella to aoid sun. If a pilgrim, in ihram, deliberately wears anything forbidden, the penalty is a sheep.

Shaving the hair of the head:

It is forbidden for a pilgrim, in a state of ihram, to shave or pluck, even a single hair. There are three exceptions to this rule: if there are plenty of lice on the body of the pilgrim and he is troubled by them; the length or quantity of hair that may cause headache, or if the hair drops off by themselves in the course of wudhu or ghusl.

Kalb b. Ujra (RA) reported: It was I, for whom this verse was revealed: "Whoever among you is sick or has an ailment of the head, he (may effect) a compensation by lasting or alms or a sacrifice" He said: I came to him (the Holy Prophet ﷺ) and he said: Come Dear. So I went near. He (again) said: Come near. So I went near. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Do the vermin trouble you?  He (Ka'b b. Ujra) replied in the affirmative. He ﷺ then commanded to do compensation by fasting or by giving adaqa (feeding six needy persons) or by sacrifice (of an animal) that is available. (Sahih Bukhari, Book 7, Number 2734).

Allah says in Quran: “Do not shave your heads until the Hady [sacrificial animal] reaches the place of sacrifice.” [2:196]

Cutting Nails:

It is forbidden for a pilgrim, in a state of ihram, to cut his nails or part thereof. The kaffarah for cutting one nail is to give mudd (750 gms) of food to poor.

Extraction of Teeth

In a state of ihram, it is forbidden even if no blood comes out in the process. They prescribe the kaffarah to be a sheep.

Use of Perfume:

Those who are in ihram refrain from all sorts of scents, waras, oud, musk, amber, saffron etc.

Beautifying oneself:

Applying Surma, to look in a mirror for the purpose of beautification wearing shoes, socks or stockings but can have slippers. The kaffarah for wearing shoes, socks or stockings is a sheep. There is no objection to women wearing them.

Intimacy with spouse:

Even touching one's own wife with desire is not permitted. Whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihram, then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [2:197]

No dispute, disobedience and quarrelling:

There should be no obscenity, no sin, no   disobedience, no dispute, in the Hajj, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj, no unnecessary complaining and no arguing. It is forbidden for a pilgrim in a state of ihram to quarrel with others, particularly to swear by Allah in order to prove something.

Do not violate:

Allah says in Surah Al-Maeda: "O you who believe! do not violate the signs appointed by Allah nor the sacred month, nor (interfere with) the offerings, nor the sacrificial animals with garlands, nor those going to the sacred house seeking the grace and pleasure of their Lord; and when you are free from the obligations of the pilgrimage, then hunt, and let not hatred of a people-- because they hindered you from the Sacred Masjid-- incite you to exceed the limits, and help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil)." [5:2]. Follow the rules, do not violate the rules of that country.

Avoid Irritation, impatience:

One can easily be irritated in such a hot and crowded place with people of different cultures and behaviors. Patience and tolerance is best option. Irritation to the smallest of things, rushing, pushing others can be avoided.

Do not hate others:

And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. (5:2)

Wearing of Arms:

It is forbidden for a person, in a state of ihram, to wear arms, or carry them in a way that suggests that he is armed, as a matter of precaution. By weapons, we mean that which would generally be regarded as arms, such as sword, spear, and rifle.

Killing game:

Killing any animal during ihram is not permissible. Hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram. Indeed, Allah ordains what He intends. (5:1) For the purpose of eating do not hunt. Do not influence others to hunt for his sake. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. “O you who have believed, Allah will surely test you through something of the game that your hands and spears [can] reach, that Allah may make evident those who fear Him unseen. And whoever transgresses after that - for him is a painful punishment. (5:94)

O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihram for Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage), and whosoever of you kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the Ka’bah, of an eatable animal (i.e. sheep, goat, cow, etc.) equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or, for expiation, he should feed Masakin (poor persons), or its equivalent in Saum (fasting), that he may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed. Allah has forgiven what is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution. [5:95]

Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water-game and its use for food – for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land-game as long as you are in a state of Ihram (for Hajj or ‘Umrah). And fear Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back. [5:96]

Ayesha (RA) reported Allah's Messenger ﷺ having said this: Five are the vicious and harmful things which should be killed even within the precincts of Haram: rat, scorpion, crow. kite and voracious dog.

Marriage Contract:

To propose a marriage contract or getting married and the marriage is consummated or witness a marriage ceremony is prohibited in the state of ihram.

الحمدلله