The meaning of Ihram and what is Sunnah concerning it
Question :
What is the meaning of Ihram and what is Sunnah for the Muhrim regarding it?
Answer:
The Ihram is the intention of the type of Hajj, and it is the contract of the heart to enter into the sacred rite of Hajj or Umrah. This means that when the person enters into it, he abstains from the prohibited things that are forbidden for the Muhrim. Ihram is not simply wearing some clothes. For a person may wear a waist wrap and an upper garment while he is in his land without any intention, and he is not called a Muhrim. The Muhrim may also enter Ihram with his heart and leave his normal clothes on, like the shirt, the turban and similar things. In this case he has to offer a sacrifice (as expiation). It is Sunnah when assuming Ihram to perform complete bathing if it has been some time since he last cleaned himself and the period of his Ihram will be long. However, if he bathed and cleaned himself a day before, he does not need to renew his bathing. It is Sunnah for him to cleanse himself from any filth and anything similar, and to trim his moustache if it is long, due to fear that it may become longer after the Ihram and he will be bothered by it. It is also Sunnah for him to apply perfume before his intention, as it is prohibited for him to use it after making the intention for Ihram. This is so that he will not be bothered by sweat and filth. If he does not fear from that, there is no harm in him leaving it off, and this is what is normally the case during these times due to the shortness of the period of Ihram, during both the Hajj and the 'Umrah. And Allâh knows best.
Source:
Ash-Shaykh Ibn Jibreen
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 4 Page 110
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