Can I cover my face during Umrah?
Travelers booking Umrah Packages from London are subject to the same restrictions and regulations as any other tourist in the Holy Land. Dressing in a certain way, performing certain rites, and abiding by certain restrictions are all part of the pilgrimage experience. It’s all obligatory for a genuine pilgrimage.
The decision of whether or not one should hide one’s face on this spiritual pilgrimage is ultimately a personal one. Everything you need to know about this topic is listed below.
Rules of Ihram clothing.
The first step in performing the sacred ceremonies of the lesser pilgrimage is to don the Ihram. Umrah cannot be performed until one has assumed ihram.
The word “Ihram” can mean either the ceremonial garments worn by pilgrims or the pious state of cleanliness they achieve during this time. In this context, we will observe the norms for Ihram dress.
Different for men and women.
Women are not required to wear the head covering known as a “Ihram,” but men are.
Men.
For the Ihram, male pilgrims may only use two pieces of fabric that are not sewn together. White is the only acceptable color for Ihram garments. The lower half of your body can be covered with one of these sheets, while the top half can be covered with the other.
- Men should keep their feet and ankles exposed at all times during Umrah.
- Wearing any sort of head covering is prohibited for men in Ihram.
- It is also not allowed to wear stitched clothes.
Women.
Women who are doing ihram are not limited in their choice of clothing or color, provided that it is plain, modest, and stitched only. To fulfill the requirements of Ihram and to conform to cultural standards in Saudi Arabia, most women choose to wear an Abaya over their regular clothing.Women must keep their heads covered at all times. Therefore, a hijab with an under-scarf cap must be worn.
- Feet should also remain covered in Ihram. Hence women are allowed to wear closed footwear and socks as well.
- For women in Ihram, covering the face (wearing a veil) and hands (wearing gloves) is not allowed, especially while performing Tawaf.
So, in the religious context, women and men alike are exempt from the obligation to hide their faces when performing the umrah.
Other factors to consider for women.
- Women should cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothing for the entire spiritual journey of Umrah, as this is the ultimate level of spirituality and respect for pilgrims.
- Wearing hijab along with loose-fitting garments i.e., concealing their physical form is what remains advised by the scholars. However, as for face covering, cultural norms, as well as personal preferences, can influence in this regard.
- Cultural norms play a significant role in determining individuals’ decisions regarding face covering during Umrah. For some, customs ingrained in their cultural heritage may inspire the choice to cover the face, irrespective of specific religious obligations. While for some it is of not that much concern
- In the same way, personal preferences can also influence one’s desire to cover the face as per their;
- Religious understanding.
While cultural and social traditions may influence individuals’ choices, it is not required that women hide their faces during Umrah ceremonies. The decision to conceal one’s face during Umrah with the travel agency should be made only after consulting with informed religious authorities or academics. Consultations like these help pilgrims not only traverse the complexities of their own devotion, but also make decisions that are respectful to the sacred nature of the Umrah.