The Committed Believer · Hajj & Umrah

Ihram Regulations for Women

Test your knowledge of specific ihram requirements and rulings for women during Hajj & Umrah.

8 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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8 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. What should a woman in ihram do if non-mahram men pass close by and she needs to cover her face?

  • Lower part of her garment from the top of her head over her face. (correct answer)
  • Wear a niqab as usual.
  • Wear gloves and a fitted face veil.
  • Leave her face uncovered in front of non-mahram men in every case.

Why

A woman in ihram must not wear niqab or gloves. If non-mahram men pass close by, she may cover her face by lowering part of her garment, such as her jilbab, from the top of her head over her face. This is different from wearing a niqab, which is a fitted face covering forbidden in ihram. If she wore a niqab deliberately for a valid reason, then fidyah is due, but if she covered with a non-niqab garment in the prescribed manner, nothing is due.

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2. What is the ruling on a woman in ihram wearing a face mask?

  • It is not permissible like niqab, unless she needs it, in which case fidyah is due. (correct answer)
  • It is always permissible with no fidyah.
  • It is required because it does not cover the entire face.
  • It is forbidden for men and women equally because both must uncover the face.

Why

A woman in ihram is forbidden to wear anything made to fit the face, such as niqab, burqa‘, litham, and similar fitted coverings. A face mask is treated like niqab because it is tailored to cover part of the face. If she needs it because of sickness, foul smells, or a similar valid reason, she may wear it but must pay fidyah: fasting three days, feeding six poor persons, or sacrificing a sheep. If she is excused by ignorance, forgetfulness, coercion, or sleep, no fidyah is due.

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3. If a woman in ihram covers her face with her jilbab, must she keep the cloth away from her face?

  • No, there is no evidence requiring that. (correct answer)
  • Yes, she must use a stick or her hand to create distance.
  • Yes, because any cloth touching the face is exactly like niqab.
  • No, but only if she is not performing Hajj or ‘umrah.

Why

A woman in ihram may cover her face in front of non-mahram men using a head cover, jilbab, or similar garment, not a niqab. She does not have to keep that cloth away from her face. The actions of women at the time of the Prophet ﷺ indicate that the cloth lowered from the head would naturally touch the face, and there is no report requiring women to create distance with a stick, hand, or anything else.

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4. Why is a niqab-like face covering forbidden for a woman in ihram?

  • Because it is made to fit the face in order to cover it. (correct answer)
  • Because covering the face is forbidden in every situation.
  • Because only black face coverings are forbidden.
  • Because it is forbidden only when it has no eye opening.

Why

The prohibition is not limited to one exact style of niqab. Anything made to fit the face and cover it comes under the same ruling, even if the eye opening is covered with a thin layer through which the woman can see. The woman in ihram may cover her face when needed by lowering a garment from the head, but she should not wear a fitted niqab-like covering, burqa‘, litham, or similar face garment.

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5. Which face covering should a woman in ihram avoid wearing?

  • Niqab or burqa‘. (correct answer)
  • A loose garment lowered from the head when non-mahram men pass by.
  • Loose ordinary clothing that covers her body.
  • Any clothing made of natural fibres.

Why

One of the ihram prohibitions specific to women is wearing niqab, and the same applies to burqa‘. A woman in ihram should leave her face uncovered unless non-mahram men pass by, in which case she must cover her face with something lowered over it, and it does not matter if that cover touches her face. If a person commits an ihram prohibition out of ignorance, forgetfulness, or coercion, no expiation is due, but once they remember or learn the ruling, they must stop.

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6. What type of footwear is not allowed for a male pilgrim in ihram?

  • Footwear that covers the entire foot and ankles, such as khuffayn or boots. (correct answer)
  • Sandals that leave the ankles uncovered.
  • Sandals with straps across the toes.
  • Sandals with a strap around the heel.

Why

Footwear that covers the entire foot and the ankles, such as khuffayn or boots, is not permissible for a male pilgrim in ihram unless there is no alternative as discussed in the hadith. Sandals are permissible, even if they have straps across the toes, over the top of the foot, or around the heel. Scholars differed about footwear that covers much of the foot but not the ankles; some disallowed it to be safe, while others allowed what comes below the ankles. The safer choice is ordinary sandals when available, unless there is a need.

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7. If a male pilgrim in ihram cannot find sandals, what should he do with khuffayn?

  • Cut them so they come lower than the ka‘b. (correct answer)
  • Wear them without any modification in all cases.
  • Wear only white khuffayn.
  • Avoid all footwear completely.

Why

The hadith states that if a muhrim cannot find sandals, he may wear khuffayn but should cut them so that they come lower than the ka‘b. According to the majority of Maalikis, Shaafa‘is, and Hanbalis, the ka‘b here means the two protruding ankle bones at the joint between the foot and leg. The Hanafis interpreted it as the mid-foot area where sandal straps are tied, but the correct view cited is the majority view. Ihram garments do not have to be white, though white is better.

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8. Who may serve as a woman’s mahram for Hajj travel?

  • Any trustworthy adult male mahram of sound mind whom she is permanently forbidden to marry. (correct answer)
  • Only her husband.
  • Only her father or brother.
  • Any male chosen by her husband, even if he is not a mahram.

Why

A woman should not travel for Hajj or any other purpose except with a mahram, and she should not go out for Hajj or other travel except with her husband’s permission. But the mahram does not have to be her husband. A valid mahram may be through blood, breastfeeding, or marriage, such as a father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew, foster-relative, father-in-law, or stepson, provided he is trustworthy, of sound mind, and adult according to the majority. If she finds a suitable mahram, the husband has no right to prevent her from doing the obligatory Hajj with him.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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