The Committed Believer · Hajj & Umrah

Perfume and Miqat Regulations in Ihram

Understanding rules about perfume use and entering ihram at miqats.

6 questions · Medium · about 3 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

6 questions, about 3 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. What is the ruling on putting perfume on the head or body before forming the intention to enter ihram?

  • It is Sunnah. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden in every case.
  • It is obligatory.
  • It is only allowed after finishing Hajj.

Why

Putting perfume on the head and body after ghusl and before forming the intention to enter ihram is Sunnah. If someone applied scented cream to the body before forming the ihram intention, they do not have to do anything, even if they had already put on the ihram garments. What is prohibited is applying perfume after forming the intention to enter ihram. If that was done knowingly, fidyah is due; if it was done out of ignorance or forgetfulness, nothing is due, but the person should remove the traces of perfume as much as possible.

View source on IslamQA →

2. Is it permissible to apply perfume to the ihram garments?

  • No, whether before or after entering ihram. (correct answer)
  • Yes, if it is only a small amount.
  • Yes, if it is applied before the intention.
  • Yes, if the perfume is natural.

Why

Perfuming the body before forming the ihram intention is Sunnah, but perfuming the ihram garments is not permissible, whether that is done before entering ihram or after it. The Prophet ﷺ forbade wearing garments touched by perfume such as saffron or wars. Therefore a pilgrim may perfume the body before ihram, but should not apply perfume to the izar, rida', or other ihram garments.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What should a pilgrim in ihram do if someone offers them perfume?

  • Politely decline and explain that perfume is not allowed in ihram. (correct answer)
  • Accept it to avoid offending the person.
  • Use it only on the ihram garments.
  • Accept it and promise to offer fidyah later.

Why

A pilgrim in ihram is not allowed to use perfume on the body or clothing. If someone offers perfume, the pilgrim should not disobey Allah to avoid offending that person; rather, they should politely explain that perfume is not permissible for a pilgrim in ihram. If someone knowingly used perfume in ihram, they must repent and offer fidyah: sacrificing a sheep, feeding six poor persons, or fasting three days.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What is the ruling if someone passes one miqat, then later enters ihram from another valid miqat?

  • The ihram is valid according to the more correct scholarly view cited. (correct answer)
  • The Hajj is invalid.
  • They must always offer a sacrifice.
  • They must return home and restart the journey.

Why

If someone passes by two miqats and delays entering ihram until the second miqat, their ihram from the second miqat is valid according to the more correct scholarly view cited. The example discussed is people who first went to Madinah and then entered ihram from Abyar 'Ali, the miqat of the people of Madinah. Although entering ihram from the first miqat may be better, there is nothing wrong with entering from the second valid miqat in this case.

View source on IslamQA →

5. If pilgrims on a plane pass the miqat unknowingly because the crew forgot to tell them, what should have happened once the mistake was known?

  • They should have been told the truth and gone back to the miqat after landing if possible. (correct answer)
  • They should have been told they were still over the miqat even after passing it.
  • Their Hajj or 'umrah automatically became invalid.
  • They had to repeat Hajj or 'umrah the following year.

Why

Whoever intends Hajj or 'umrah must enter ihram when coming in line with the miqat, and it is better in a plane to enter ihram slightly before it because of the plane's speed. If the passengers were genuinely unaware and thought they were entering ihram at the miqat, they were not sinful for their forgetfulness or mistake. But the crew should have told them the truth once they realized they had passed the miqat; then the passengers should have delayed ihram until landing, gone back to the miqat if possible, and entered ihram from there. If people knowingly enter ihram after passing the miqat, fidyah is due.

View source on IslamQA →

6. If someone entered Makkah for work without firmly intending 'umrah, then later decided to do 'umrah, where should they enter ihram from?

  • From outside the Haram, such as al-Tan'im. (correct answer)
  • From inside the Ka'bah area.
  • From the original miqat in every case.
  • They cannot perform 'umrah on that trip.

Why

If someone passes the miqat without having firmly resolved to do 'umrah during that trip, they do not have to enter ihram from the miqat. If they later decide to do 'umrah while already in Makkah, they should go outside the Haram, such as to al-Tan'im or another place outside the sanctuary, and enter ihram from there. But if they had already decided to do Hajj or 'umrah when passing the miqat, then they must go back to the miqat and enter ihram from there; if they do not, a sacrifice is due according to the majority.

View source on IslamQA →

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.

More in Hajj & Umrah

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.