Ihrām

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Ihrām ( Arabic إحرام, DMG iḥrām  'state of consecration') is the terminus technicus for the state of consecration in which a Muslim pilgrim to Mecca is on the great ( hadj ) or on the small ( 'umra ) pilgrimage.

The entry into the state of consecration is preceded by the great ritual washing ( ghusl ). The one who is in this state is called muḥrim . The pilgrim is in this state of consecration until the end of the pilgrimage ceremonies, which ends when the iḥrām clothing is removed.

People in iram clothing at Jeddah airport

The robe consists of two white cotton towels, one of which is wrapped around the hips and covers the body between the navel and knees ( izār ). A second sheet covers the left shoulder, back and part of the chest; it is tied up on the right side of the body ( ridāʾ ). Both cloths should be white. No sturdy shoes or boots may be worn on the feet, the only exception being sandals . Women have no special dress code, only their face must not be veiled during the ceremonies and they are not allowed to wear gloves.

Islamic law declares it meritorious for pilgrims to enter the iram state at the beginning of their journey to Mecca . The law, with reference to the corresponding statements of the Prophet Mohammed ( hadith ), has specified some stations on the border with the sacred area of ​​Mecca ( Ḥaram ) at which pilgrims enter the state of consecration. Those who live within this holy district enter the state of ordination at their respective places of residence. In this state of consecration, bloodshed of any kind (the killing of insects such as lice should also be avoided), hunting and sexual intercourse are prohibited.

At the end of the iḥrām , on the tenth day of the pilgrimage month, the pilgrim has his hair cut, shaved and his nails cut. The iḥrām clothing is removed and the pilgrim puts on his usual clothing.

literature

  • William Robertson Smith: Lectures on the Religion of the Semites. The fundamental institutions . 3. Edition. A. & C. Black Ltd., London 1927, p. 481 ff .
  • Julius Wellhausen: Remains of Arab paganism . 3. Edition. de Gruyter, Berlin 1961, p. 122 ff .
  • The Encyclopaedia of Islam . New Edition. Volume 3, p. 1052: The places (mīqāt or muḥall) traditionally stipulated for the assumption of the iḥrām are ... etc. - The respective places where one can enter the state of consecration are called, always in singular, muhall  /مهلand not necessary . The one who enters the state of consecration is called muhill and not muḥill . See: AJ Wensinck et alii: Concordance et Indices de la Tradition Musulmane . Brill. Leiden 1969. Vol. 7, p. 95 (muhill as person), p. 98: muhall (as place). The EI must be corrected accordingly.

Web links

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