Question:
Assalamualaikum ustaz. I have a question, is it permissible to use a sewn blanket when I’m in ihram? Hope for your explanation. Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrt. wbt.,
Alhamdulillah, praise and gratitude to Allah SWT for His countless blessings for us all. Praise and salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions, and all those who follow his footsteps until the Final day.
We start with Allah SWT’s statement:
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds.” [1]
Allah SWT informs the honour of Baitullah al-Haram which is the first house of worship built for Him on this earth is located in Mecca and there are blessings and guidance for all mankind. [2]
Prohibitions During Ihram
Then, we must also know that a person in ihram has to be mindful of the prohibitions set by syarak and if one violates these prohibitions, then the individual will be fined with dam according to the type of prohibitions he violated. There are slight differences among the matters that are prohibited for men and women in ihram.
The prohibitions for a person in ihram include 10 matters. Among them is the prohibition against wearing anything sewn for men. [3]
Moreover, Ibn Munzir stated that scholars have agreed on the prohibition of wearing clothes, turban, trousers, khuf (leather stockings) and baranis (a jubah that covers the head) for men in ihram. [4] This is based on a narration from Ibn Umar R.Anhuma where a man came and asked Rasullullah PBUH regarding the clothing that one should wear in ihram. The Messenger PBUH answered:
لاَ يَلْبَسُ الْقُمُصَ وَلاَ الْعَمَائِمَ وَلاَ السَّرَاوِيلاَتِ وَلاَ الْبَرَانِسَ وَلاَ الْخِفَافَ، إِلاَّ أَحَدٌ لاَ يَجِدُ نَعْلَيْنِ فَلْيَلْبَسْ خُفَّيْنِ، وَلْيَقْطَعْهُمَا أَسْفَلَ مِنَ الْكَعْبَيْنِ، وَلاَ تَلْبَسُوا مِنَ الثِّيَابِ شَيْئًا مَسَّهُ الزَّعْفَرَانُ أَوْ وَرْسٌ
“Do not wear shirts, turbans trousers hooded cloaks or Khuffs (socks made from thick fabric or leather); but if someone cannot get sandals, then he can wear Khuffs after cutting them short below the ankles. Do not wear clothes touched by saffron or wars (two kinds of perfumes).” [5]
Scholars stated that included in the prohibition is for anything else that is categorized as similar (in terms of its meaning) such as jubah, armour, clothing (other than shirts) and others. It is prohibited for a man in ihram to cover himself in normal clothing (which follows the shape of his body) and covers his body parts with what is usually worn (according to the body parts) such as shirts for his body, trousers for his lower body part, gloves for his hands and khuf for his feet and others. [6]
Likewise, there is a hadith regarding a person who died in ihram, then the Prophet PBUH instructed the way to shroud him and commanded people to not cover his head. Narrated from Ibn Abbas R.Anhuma, he narrated that a person fell down his camel while in ihram, then the Prophet PBUH said:
اغْسِلُوهُ بِمَاءٍ وَسِدْرٍ ، وَكَفِّنُوهُ فِى ثَوْبَيْنِ ، وَلاَ تُحَنِّطُوهُ وَلاَ تُخَمِّرُوا رَأْسَهُ ، فَإِنَّهُ يُبْعَثُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مُلَبِّيًا
“Wash him with water and lotus leaves, and shroud him in two cloths. Do not apply aromatics to him or cover his head, for Allah, the Might and Sublime, will raise him on the Day of Resurrection reciting the Talbiyah.” [7]
Furthermore, al-Nawawi explained that it is prohibited to wear or use clothing that follows the body shape or part that it covers according to the body or body parts, regardless of whether the clothing (combined) by sewing it together or otherwise such as a shirt, trousers, jubah and others. [8] The same is stated in his other book, it is mentioned that there is no difference of whether it is sewn with a thread and needle or glued (combined) with one another, for it is included in the meaning of al-Makhid (sewn clothing). [9]
Hence, it is prohibited for men to wear any clothing that is sewn (covers) according to the body or body parts such as a singlet, shirt, or underwear.
However, if the clothing isn’t used for the meaning of covering as stated, then it is fine to use them even if it is sewn such as using a shirt or jubah as a blanket when sleeping. [10]
Whereas, the prohibition – which involves clothing – for women during ihram, they are prohibited from covering their face and wearing gloves. [11] Other than the two prohibitions, any type of clothing is permissible on the condition that it covers the aurah. This is as stated in a narration from Abdullah bin Umar R.Anhuma:
أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ «نَهَى النِّسَاءَ فِي إِحْرَامِهِنَّ عَنِ القُفَّازَيْنِ وَالنِّقَابِ
“He heard God’s messenger forbidding women to wear gloves or veils while they were engaged in the rites of pilgrimage.” [12]
In another narration:
وَلَا تَنْتَقِبْ الْمَرْأَةُ الْمُحْرِمَةُ وَلَا تَلْبَسْ الْقُفَّازَيْنِ
“A woman in ihram should wear neither a veil nor gloves.” [13]
However, the matters that are prohibited in ihram are only prohibited if they fulfil the following conditions:
- Prohibited for a person in ihram to commit any of the prohibited matters if it is done intentionally, he knows that it is prohibited, it is his own ikhtiyar (choice) and a mukallaf.
- It isn’t prohibited if it doesn’t fulfil the above condition. [14]
Habib Hasan al-Kaff said that it isn’t obligatory for a person to pay the fine of fidyah (dam) for anyone who wears sewn clothing in ihram if he forgets (unintentionally) or is ignorant (didn’t know of its prohibition). [15]
Conclusion
Regarding the above question, a person in ihram can use the blanket provided, however, just covering up to one’s neck without covering the face for a woman and not covering the head for a man. The reason is covering the face is included as a prohibition of ihram for women, while covering the head is a prohibition of ihram for men.
If a male congregant accidentally covers his head or a female congregant unintentionally covers her face, then it must be uncovered immediately to avoid getting fined with dam.
May Allah SWT grant us all a clear understanding in this religion and implement His shariah. Amin.
Wallahu a’lam.
[2] See Tafsir al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, 213-214.
[3] See Nail al-Raja’ bi Syarh Safinah al-Naja’, pg. 206; al-Fiqh al-Manhaji, 2/133.
[5] Narrated by al-Bukhari (1542)
[7] Narrated by al-Bukhari (1265) dan Muslim (2948)
[8] See al-Idhah fi Manasik al-Haj wa al-Umrah, pg. 148-149.
[9] See al-Majmu‘ Syarh al-Muhazzab, 7/249.
[10] See al-Idhah fi Manasik al-Haj wa al-Umrah, pg. 150.
[11] See al-Taqrirat al-Sadidah, pg. 502; al-Fiqh al-Syafi‘i al-Muyassar, 1/396.
[12] Narrated by Abu Daud (1827)
[13] Narrated by al-Bukhari (1838)