What to wear when going on pilgrimage to perform Hajj/Umrah
When preparing for Hajj or Umrah, the attire you wear is highly symbolic and plays a crucial role in the spiritual experience. Both men and women along with children get dressed when making the journey before they board the plane, in this state they start to recite what is needed until they reach the haram and perform their pilgrimage. This prepares them and gets them into the mindset of seeing the Kaaba for the first time if it is their first experience, and for many around the world it is a heartfelt emotional experience. Here's a detailed guide on what to wear for each pilgrimage:
Hajj Attire
the ihram is the primary clothing for men during Hajj which is a simple, unstitched white garment, it consists of two pieces, the Izar which is a waist wrap that covers the lower part of the body (from waist to ankle). And the Rida which is a cloth draped over the shoulders, covering the upper body, the Ihram should be made of a simple, clean fabric, usually cotton and the purpose of this attire is to symbolize purity, humility, and equality before God, as all pilgrims are dressed the same way, regardless of their social or economic status. When it comes to footwear, simple sandals or slippers are mostly worn, these expose the ankles and are easy to remove for walking and performing rituals. You should avoid footwear that covers the feet fully.
Women also wear Ihram but the clothing is different. It typically consists of a loose-fitting dress or a simple, modest outfit that covers the body. The attire should cover the entire body, except for the face, hands, and feet. Women often wear a loose-fitting abaya or a simple long dress. Unlike men, women are allowed to wear stitched clothing, but it must be modest and not revealing. Women must cover their hair with a headscarf or a hijab as a sign of modesty, this is a key part of the Ihram dress.
Umrah Attire
The attire for Umrah is essentially the same as Hajj, as the rituals of Umrah also require the wearing of Ihram. However, Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage and does not have the same intense set of rituals as Hajj. That said, the basic principles of modesty and purity still apply. For men the same two-piece Ihram garment (Izar and Rida), which is worn before entering the Miqat (the boundary that marks the start of the pilgrimage). And for women A loose-fitting, modest dress that covers the body, along with a headscarf is sufficient.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Both men and women should prioritize modesty in their attire. Avoid wearing tight or revealing clothes. And when it comes to comfort pilgrims often walk long distances, so you should wear something comfortable under Ihram. For example, something which is light and made out of cotton can be worn beneath the Ihram to stay comfortable and you should always maintain cleanliness at all times, especially since Ihram garments are white and visible dirt may detract from the sacred nature of the pilgrimage. It is prohibited to wear perfume or scented oils on the Ihram garments, as it is considered a violation of the conditions for entering the state of Ihram.
Post-Ihram Clothing (After Ihram)
Once the pilgrimage rituals of Hajj or Umrah are completed, pilgrims may wear regular clothing again. For Hajj, this typically happens after completing the Tawaf al-Ifadah and shaving or trimming hair (for men) or after performing the required rituals for women. You can wear your everyday clothes, as long as they remain modest and appropriate. When it comes to everyday clothing, men typically dress in thobes and women tend to wear abayas, not only are these the perfect modest attire to wear, they also keep you cool in the hot climate. Footwear tends to be open toe sandals or comfortable trainers as most people travel to certain areas of the haram by foot, hence this type of footwear is the most appropriate.
Once the Hajj or umrah is completed, people do tend to head to the souks for their shopping before they go back home and in these Souks you can get anything from gold, to clothing to footwear to jewellery and artifacts and souvenirs for the home. It’s a chance for people to just relax and take part, and indulge in their hobby of shopping and rub shoulders with the people that actually reside there. Performing the sacred trip to perform hajj and umrah is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is advisable to go at least once in your lifetime if it is affordable, umrah can be completed at any time of the year, however hajj has specific dates in the calendar of when this can be completed.