Can I cover my face during Umrah?
Pilgrims traveling through Umrah packages from UK and worldwide are required to adhere to specific guidelines for the performance of holy rituals. Since Umrah is a voluntary Ibadah, Muslims travel for this sunnah pilgrimage as per their own convenience and desire i.e., it’s not obligatory to do so. However, if one opts for Umrah performance, it is highly rewarding and beneficial for him/her.
Among the prerequisites of Umrah, being appropriately dressed is the fundamental one. Pilgrims are required to assume the state of Ihram for their Umrah rituals which include wearing specific clothes and doing a set of specific rituals.
In order to assume Ihram, pilgrims must;
- Clip their nails.
- Trim their hair.
- Shave unnecessary body hair.
- Preform Ghusl (if in the state of Janabah). Otherwise, Wudu can also be made. Yet Ghusl is a recommended sunnah act.
- Wear Ihram clothes.
- Ihram for men consists of only two sheets of white-coloured unstitched cloth. No other type of stitched clothing can be worn during this time.
- Ihram for women can be their ordinary clothes i.e., of any colour and type but stitched and modest. Women are not allowed to wear unstitched clothes for their Ihram.
- Perform Salat-al-Ihram.
- Make Niyyah for Umrah before leaving the Meeqat boundary.
Afterward, pilgrims can proceed to Masjid-al-Haram to offer Umrah rituals.
Contents
Covering of face.
Modesty is something that is not only highly emphasized in Islam but also encouraged among men and women.
For men.
Male pilgrims are not required to cover their faces in Ihram. As a matter of fact, it is prohibited for men to wear any sort of face covering or head covering while in Ihram.
For women.
Female pilgrims are required to dress modestly for their Umrah pilgrimage keeping in view the religious obligations as well as the traditions of Saudi Arabia.
Head covering is something that is necessary for a woman whether in the state of Ihram or not. For a female pilgrim, it is a necessary pre-requisite to keep her head covered at all times. That’s why you will see women wearing hijabs with under scarf caps in Haram. Otherwise, the Ihram is not valid for a woman.
As far as covering the face is concerned, women in Ihram for Umrah are not required to do so. In fact, it is prohibited for women to cover their faces (wearing a veil) and hands (wearing gloves) while in Ihram.
It is the wish for every Muslim to perform the pilgrimage of Umrah with his family. Islamic Travel has offered Packages for Umrah 2024 at very cheaper costs. You can book these Umrah Packages in advance because all the classes in the planes are empty so it is the golden chance to get Umrah Flights.
However, outside of Ihram, Muslim women have the choice to either cover their faces or not; whatever they want to opt for.
Cultural significance.
In many cultures across the globe, it is a common practice for women to wear face coverings as an expression of personal piety. They do so with the belief that covering your face refers helps preserve modesty and keep oneself from drawing unnecessary attention from the opposite gender. Consequently, many cultures encourage women to wear face coverings.
Religious significance.
One must know that religiously, covering the face and hands (for women) is not obligatory. However, a recommended act. If a woman chooses to wear a face covering i.e., does niqab, it is completely up to her choice. On the other hand, if a woman does not opt for it, there’s no sin for her because it is permitted in Shariah.
While in Ihram for Umrah, women cannot cover their faces and hands under any circumstance. Otherwise, it would make their Ihram invalid i.e., going beyond the orders of Allah Almighty and rules specified in the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW).
However, upon coming out of Ihram after completing the Umrah rituals, women can cover their faces if they want to during the remaining Umrah journey, there is no restriction in it.
Hence, whether a woman chooses to cover her face or not, it is essential to remember that the primary objective of Umrah must be to please Allah Almighty with sincere and honest acts of worship following all the necessary religious obligations. For any queries, it is better that you get advice from religious scholars for a better answer on the matter.
