What is forbidden in the pilgrim's state (ihram), and the penalty for each

Things Prohibited During Ihram

The actions that are prohibited during the state of Ihram and for which Kaffara (compensation) is often required are mentioned here.

Having intercourse with one's wife, engaging in desire-driven conversations, touching, looking at with lust, committing wickedness and sin, arguing, becoming angry with companions, servants, or those dealing with worldly matters are prohibited. However, getting angry for the sake of religion, such as when commanding what is good and forbidding what is wrong, is not prohibited.

It is also prohibited to remove any of the body hair, whether partially or completely, trim one's nails, or cut the nails of others. However, it is permissible to remove any hair that grows inside the eye. Wearing dyed clothes, or clothes that are made or structured in such a way that they cover most or certain parts of the body, or that automatically stay on the body during action, is not allowed.

Clothing that is sewed, such as kurta, jubba, angarkha, jama, nima, fargal, abaya, qaba, topi, pajama, socks, etc.

Knitted clothing such as gloves, soaks, mismatched kurta, pajama, cap, etc.

Clothing which is made such as helmet, barani (raincoat), namda (felt) jubba, kurta, topi that is of a single piece.

Wearing according to habit refers to the clothing that is worn regularly. Therefore, if a muhram wears a cloak on his shoulders without sleeves, or wears only one sleeve, or wears a pajama, it is permissible, though it is better to avoid it.

Covering the head or face with any cloth, tying a piece of cloth with an attached tassel around the shoulder, covering the ankle with socks, stockings, shoes, etc., or tying a bandage around the head or face—even if due to illness— wearing colored clothing, or wearing clothes dyed with saffron, or wers [a scented fruit fiber from Yemen similar to saffron], or any other fragrant substance is not allowed. However, if the item was washed after dyeing, or if it is durable enough such that it does not emit fragrance, it is permissible.

Wearing clothes that have been scented [scenting means exposing them to the smoke of fragrant substances, such as oud, musk, etc. However, if oud or similar substances are burned in a place, and the scent has transferred to the clothes when passing through that place, there is no harm in that.] Wearing, applying, or putting fragrance on the body or clothes, even on bedding, is prohibited. [A fragrant substance whose scent is easily detected and which is recognized as a fragrance by intelligent individuals.]

It is also prohibited to apply fragrance to the hands in such a manner that it touches the clothes or to put fragrance on the edges of clothes, except for oud.

Eating fragrant substances like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, or consuming food that has a predominant fragrance, or drinking liquids that are highly fragrant, is prohibited. Applying henna to the hair or body, washing the hair with Gul Khairo or similar substances, applying oil, or using substances like gum for the hair are also forbidden. Additionally, hunting or trapping desert animals, stopping or restraining them, signaling them, or assisting in their hunt by giving arrows, spears, or guiding them, is prohibited. Breaking the legs of these animals, cooking, or roasting their meat, or milking them, buying or selling their milk, or scratching the body in such a way that it causes the hair to fall out or lice to die is not permitted.[It is prohibited to remove them in such a way that they fall to the ground and die. However, if the lice are moved from one place to another due to the pain of being bitten on the body or clothes, it is permissible.]

As for lice, if a lice falls from someone else's body or clothes, killing them is permissible. However, it is prohibited to strike, throw them away, wash them off from clothes or body, or instruct someone else to kill the lice. Any such action is prohibited, but if the lice naturally fall on the ground, killing them is permissible. It is also prohibited to cut or graze the trees in the Haram, except for azkhar grass.

Permissible Actions in the State of Ihram

The Explanation of Jinayaat (Violations)

Jinayaat refers to the sins that require expiation.

If a pilgrim in Ihram applies perfume to a complete limb of the body [For mild or small amounts of perfume, the application on an entire limb is considered, while for strong or large amounts, even one-fourth of a limb is sufficient to necessitate Damm (sacrificial offering)], or applies perfume to the whole body in one sitting, or makes clothing or bedding fragrant, whether slightly or heavily, it obligates Damm.

If the pilgrim colours their hair (of beard or head) with henna, washes them with Ghulaab Khairu (a fragrant herbal solution), consumes a large quantity of perfume [A significant quantity would include two handfuls of rose or kewra (scented water) or musk, where "large" is what is commonly perceived as such, or as some scholars state, what remains noticeable for long on the mouth], or applies fragrant kohl more than twice, Damm becomes obligatory.

For amounts less than this, the person is obligated to give charity equivalent to Sadaqat al-Fitr.

Applying perfume, whether deliberately or forgetfully, willingly or under coercion, results in the same expiation being necessary, regardless of whether the person is a man or woman.

If one applies henna to the head and allows it to harden, two expiations (Damm) i.e., two sacrifices become obligatory: one for the perfume and the other for covering the head.

If a person applies perfume to different parts of the body across multiple sittings, expiation must be given for each instance separately.

If musk, camphor, or amber is tied to one’s clothing, the equivalent of Sadaqat al-Fitr in charity must be given. However, tying Oud to clothing or eating saffron-flavoured sweets is permissible.

These are considered part of perfumes since they are essential bases for other fragrances, even though they do not inherently have a scent.

If applied to the body or clothing as a perfume, expiation becomes obligatory.

If consumed or used for tasks like grinding or sowing seeds, there is no issue.

If perfume is added to a drink, the expiation depends on its effect: if the perfume overpowers the drink, an expiation (Damm) is obligatory. However, if the drink retains its original taste, then only charity (similar to Sadaqat al-Fitr) must be given.

If perfume is added to uncooked food and its scent overwhelms the food, charity is required. But if the perfume's scent is subdued, no action is required. In cooked food, no expiation or charity is necessary, regardless of the perfume's effect.

If a large amount of perfume is applied to the hands or mouth over the Black Stone, a sacrifice is due. If the amount is less, charity is required.

If a part of the body was perfumed before entering Ihram and another part is perfumed after entering Ihram, it is not an issue.

If expiation is required due to perfume, it must first be removed from the body or clothing, or the expiation should be made. If the perfume remains after the expiation, further expiation will be necessary.

If a person wears a black cloth, or several clothes for an entire day or multiple days as a habit, or covers parts of the head, face, or body, such as a quarter of the head, throughout the day or night, this would require an expiation (Damm), i.e., a sacrifice. If the covering is done for less than a full day or night, charity equivalent to Sadaqat al-Fitr must be given.

The obligation for expiation remains regardless of intent, whether it is intentional or accidental, or if the person knows or does not know. Similarly, whether the person is happy or compelled does not affect the ruling.

If a person covers their head or body due to the necessity of cold or illness and wears sewn garments, the expiation required will still be a single sacrifice. This applies even if, due to the necessity, two shirts are worn or a turban is tied with the need for a head covering.

If one covers multiple parts of the body—such as covering the head, then also the shirt—an additional expiation will be required for this second covering. If the covering happens during both the day and the night, then a Damm is required for the full duration, and charity should be given for less than the full duration.

Time Consideration for Ihram: If one covers their head or body, but only for a shorter period (for example, for one part of the day or night), the obligation to provide Damm or charity depends on the time spent in covering.

If a person binds a bandage over their head or face without illness for the entire day or night, charity equivalent to Sadaqat al-Fitr will be required. However, no expiation will be needed for binding a cloth over other parts of the body, but it is considered disliked.

If a person shaves a quarter or more of the hair of the head or beard, or shaves the entire neck, armpits, or the hair under the navel, or shaves the area for the anal region, or the hair of the thighs or calves, or the hair of multiple body parts at once, they are required to offer an expiation (Damm), i.e., a sacrifice.

If the person performing Hajj as Qaran or Tamattu does not offer the sacrifice by the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, or fails to shave the head by the 12th, or cuts the nails of one or both hands or feet, or fails to perform the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, or performs the Tawaf al-Ziyara without covering their 'Awrah (private parts), or performs Tawaf of the Kaaba or the Tawaf of Safa and Marwah while riding (without any valid excuse), or walks after sunset from Arafat before the Imam, or does not stop at Muzdalifah, or kisses or touches a woman with sexual desire, an expiation (Damm) is required for each of these actions.

If a person shaves a part of an area multiple times, they must offer a separate expiation (Damm) for each instance. If, in one sitting, a quarter of the head is shaved or in another sitting, the quarter is shaved again, and the entire head is shaved, then only one expiation (Damm) is required as long as the first act's expiation has not been fulfilled.

If a person performing Qiran shaves their head before offering the sacrifice, two expiations are required: one for the violation of the sanctity and another for the act related to Qiran.

If a Muhrim shaves their head or cuts their nails or mustache, the Muhrim and the person who performs the action for them must give a Sadaqah (charity). However, after completing the Hajj rituals, there is no penalty, like when a pilgrim offers the sacrifice or after completing the Sa’i in Umrah.

If someone shaves less than a quarter of their head or removes hair from one armpit, or shaves the head or trims nails of one hand or one foot, then they must give half a Sadaqah equivalent to half a Sa‘ of wheat. If they shave more but less than an entire quarter, the amount given in charity should be proportionate to the extent of the action. If the combined value of what has been shaved or cut is equal to the cost of the sacrifice, they may reduce the charity accordingly.

If several hairs from the head, nose, or beard are plucked or fall off from brushing, then for each instance, one handful of wheat is required as charity.

If the mustache is trimmed, the person must give the equivalent of Fitr charity. If only a small amount of the mustache is cut, the payment should be proportionate. If half of the quarter of the beard is shaved, then the charity equivalent to half the cost of the sacrifice must be given. If one-quarter is shaved, one-quarter of the sacrifice's price should be donated.

If one hunts a wild animal, points it out, or signals towards it, whether intentionally, forgetfully, or in any other way, the price of the animal should be determined by two just men, based on its price at the time and place of hunting. A sacrifice of an animal equal in value should then be purchased and slaughtered in Makkah. Alternatively, half a Saa' of wheat or one Saa' of dates or barley can be given to each poor person, or for each half Saa' of wheat or each full Saa' of dates, one should fast. If the quantity is less than half a Saa' or one Saa', the person has the option to give that amount in charity or to fast instead. Similarly, if one saves the value of a sacrifice, one can choose to either give charity, fast for each Saa' [meaning half a Saa' of wheat or one Saa' of dates], or fast for half a Saa'.

If the value is equal to two sacrifices, the person may choose to slaughter both animals, donate their value, or fast in place of them. Alternatively, they may slaughter one animal, donate the value of the second, or fast for each Saa' or half a Saa'.

If one kills one, two, or three lice from the body or clothes, or does something that kills the lice, such as placing clothes in the sun [for killing lice], washing them, referring someone else to kill them, or scratching the hair strongly until the lice die, then a handful (one fist) of wheat must be given in charity. If there are more than three lice killed, then half a Saa' of wheat should be given in charity.

If a tree naturally grows in the Haram land, and it has not been planted by anyone and is of a kind that grows naturally, and either a Muhram or a non-Muhram cuts it, the price of the tree should be used to buy wheat and half a Saa' should be given to the poor, or a sacrifice should be made and slaughtered in the Haram. Fasting is not permissible in this case. Moreover, it is not allowed to derive benefit from the original tree, and if the tree has grown in someone’s land, a price should be given to the landowner as well. However, cutting dry grass or dry branches, or picking leaves without harming the tree, or cutting the adhkhar grass or khanbi does not require any compensation.

The atonement for a sin [i.e., in case of non-excused circumstances, a sacrifice should be made, as commonly stated in books, but some scholars have investigated the books of Israa’ and concluded that in the case of no excuse, the first step should be to offer a sacrifice. When a sacrifice is not feasible, then charity equivalent to Fitra (i.e., giving to six poor people) should be given. If that too is not possible, three fasts should be observed. In cases with an excuse, one can choose which atonement to give from these three options].

Wherever a blood compensation (Damm) is required, if the sin is due to an excuse, the person providing the atonement has the option either to offer the sacrifice in the Haram or to give three Saa’ of wheat to six poor people wherever they are. However, it is preferred to give it to the poor of Makkah. Alternatively, the person can observe three fasts, either all together or scattered, wherever they wish.

Wherever a blood compensation (Damm) is required, a sheep’s sacrifice suffices. However, the person who has had sexual relations after the standing at Arafat but before shaving, or someone who has performed Tawaf of Ziyarat while in an unclean state, or during menstruation or post-partum bleeding, should offer a camel or a cow as the sacrifice.

Wherever charity is required, the charity refers to the equivalent of the Fitra charity. However, for killing locusts, lice, or removing several hairs, a handful of wheat or dates is sufficient.