Ihraam
- Mandatory upon reaching the miqaat (locations in the four
directions from Makka defined by Allah's Messenger).
- For those living inside the boundaries of the mawaaqeet,
ihraam is made from their homes.
- Ihraam is not valid in case of insanity, unconsciousness or drunkenness.
- Once ihraam is made, nothing breaks it but apostasy.
- It is corrupted if one has marital relations while in ihraam.
In such a case, one must complete the Hajj, but do it again later.
- The pilgrim can choose between tamattu' (best), ifraad or
qiraan. (There are many opinions among the imams about which is best.
The best supported opinion is that tamattu' is superior to the other
two. Some even said that it is wajib.)
- Tamattu': One enters ihraam for 'Umrah during the months
of the Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qi'dah and Dhul-Hijjah). He then leaves ihraam
after completing the 'Umrah and makes ihraam again for Hajj in time
to proceed to Mina.
- Ifraad: One makes the first ihraam (from the miqaat)
for Hajj and stays in ihraam until the Hajj is completed on the day
of sacrifice. After that, he can re-enter ihraam for 'Umrah if
he wishes.
- Qiraan: Ihraam is made for 'Umrah but then the Hajj is
begun before it's tawaaf.
- The sunnah is to specify which one you are doing from the beginning.
- One can condition it by saying, "If I am prevented, unable or become
ill, then the end of my ihraam is at that point."