Question
Someone entered the Miqat for ‘Umrah with the intention of ‘Umrah. But when he got to the hotel, he took off his ihram clothes and wore regular clothes. Does he have to go back to the Miqat and make his intention again, or can he just give a damm (sacrifice)?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
Ruling on Removing Ihram After Intention
- Ihram is not the clothing itself; it is the state of consecration entered into by making the niyyah and talbiyah at the Miqat.
- Taking off the ihram garments and putting on regular clothes does not cancel the ihram. The person is still in ihram and all restrictions of ihram (no perfume, no covering the head for men, no cutting hair/nails, etc.) remain binding.
What is Required
- If he knowingly or unknowingly put on regular clothes after entering ihram, this is considered a violation of ihram. The scholars ruled that wearing stitched or sewn garments (for men) in ihram is one of the violations that requires damm (sacrifice of a sheep in Makkah, distributed to the poor of the Haram).
- He does not need to go back to the Miqat or renew his intention. His ihram remains valid.
- He should remove the regular clothes immediately and put the ihram garments back on, then continue his ‘Umrah.
Legal Basis
Ibn Qudamah said in al-Mughni: “If the muhrim wears a qamis or similar stitched garment, then he must offer a fidyah, whether he wore it due to necessity or without it, according to the majority of scholars.”
This is based on the command of the Prophet ﷺ regarding the muhrim avoiding stitched clothing (Bukhari, Muslim).
Final Ruling
The ihram is still valid and does not need to be repeated at the Miqat. However, wearing regular clothes after entering ihram is a violation that requires damm (a sheep sacrificed within the Haram). He must return to wearing the ihram garments and complete his ‘Umrah.
And Allah knows best.