‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told that when a man asked God’s messenger what clothing one who was on pilgrimage should wear, he said, “Do not wear shirts, turbans, trousers, garments with head coverings, or shoes, unless one cannot get sandals and wears shoes, in which case he must cut them to come below the ankles; and you must not wear clothing which has any dye of saffron or wars (A plant of a yellow colour in the Yemen, like sesame. The word is also used for the colouring matter which is shaken out when the dower opens) Bukhari and Muslim. Bukhari added in a version, “A woman who is on pilgrimage must not be veiled, or wear gloves.”
The Rites of Pilgrimage - Mishkat al-Masabih 2678
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This noble hadith from 'Abdallah ibn 'Umar, preserved in the esteemed collection Mishkat al-Masabih, provides essential guidance regarding the proper attire for the male pilgrim (muhrim) during the sacred state of ihram.
Prohibited Garments for Men
The Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly forbade five types of clothing: shirts (qumus), turbans ('amaim), trousers (sarawil), garments with head coverings (burnus), and regular shoes (khuffayn). These restrictions serve to remove distinctions of status and wealth, allowing all pilgrims to stand equal before their Lord.
The wisdom behind these prohibitions is to cultivate humility and eliminate class distinctions. When all pilgrims wear simple, uniform clothing, the focus shifts entirely to spiritual devotion rather than worldly appearances.
Concession Regarding Footwear
Scholars explain that if sandals (na'l) are unavailable, regular shoes may be worn provided they are cut below the ankles. This concession demonstrates the Shari'ah's practical nature while maintaining the principle of exposing the ankles - a condition of ihram.
Prohibition of Dyed Fabrics
The prohibition against saffron and wars-dyed clothing reflects the need to avoid anything that may attract attention or indicate luxury. These particular dyes were associated with adornment and worldly pleasure, contrary to the spirit of ihram.
Special Rulings for Women
According to Bukhari's version, women are forbidden from wearing the niqab (face veil) and gloves (quffaz). However, they must maintain proper Islamic modesty by covering their bodies except for the face and hands. If non-mahram men are present, they should draw their headcoverings over their faces without tying them tightly.
Scholarly Consensus
The major schools of jurisprudence agree on these fundamental prohibitions, though they differ slightly in details. The Hanafis, for instance, consider wearing stitched clothing to require a sacrifice (dam), while others consider it merely prohibited but not requiring compensation if done unintentionally.