Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet used to love to start doing things from the right side whenever possible, in performing ablution, putting on his shoes, and combing his hair. [Bukhari, 5022]

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiAllaahu ‘anhu), the messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “There are five things from the fitrah: using metal (blade for removing the pubic hair), circumcision, trimming the mustache, plucking the armpit hair, and cutting the nails” [Bukhari, 5509]

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The Mawaqeet

1. Meeqat : is the place from which Ihram must be assumed for Umrah and Hajj

2. The five Mawaqeet:

   • Medina- Dhul Huiaifa
   • Sham- Al-Juhfa
   • Najd- Qarn-al-Manazil 
   • Yemen- Yalamlam
   • Iraq- Dhat Irq
     
     Narrated Ibn Abbas: Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) made Dhul-Huiaifa as the Miqat for the people of Medina; Al-Juhfa for the people of Sham; Qarn-al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen; and these Mawaqit are for the people at those very places, and besides them for those who come thorough those places with the intention of performing Hajj and 'Umra; and whoever is living within these boundaries can assume lhram from the place he starts, and the people of Mecca can assume Ihram from Mecca. (Bukhari)

     Narrated Al-Harith ibn Amr as-Sahmi: I came to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) when he was at Mina, or at Arafat. He was surrounded by the people. When the bedouins came and saw his face, they would say: This is a blessed face. He said: He (the Prophet) appointed Dhat Irq as the place of putting on ihram for the people of Iraq. (Bukhari)

3. Ihram at the meeqat or before it: Assuming Ihram at the Meeqaat is the Sunnah. Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) made Dhul-Huiaifa as the Miqat for the people of Medina; Al-Juhfa for the people of Sham; Qarn-al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen; and these Mawaqit are for the people at those very places, and besides them for those who come thorough those places with the intention of performing Hajj and 'Umra; and whoever is living within these boundaries can assume lhram from the place he starts, and the people of Mecca can assume Ihram from Mecca. (Bukhari)

Ihram

1. 

   Defintion: To make the intention to perform Hajj and/or Umrah, while in the specified clothes for men, and avoiding certain prohibitions for both men and women.

2. Etiquettes before assuming Ihram

   • Cleanliness: clipping nails, trimming mustache, shaving hair under armpits and pubic hair, performing ghusl or at least wudu.

   • Taking off all regular clothing and putting on the Hajj Garment (for men only) before making intention. If fard prayer is in progress at this time, there is no need for the 2 rakats. This prayer is performed to prepare us emotionally.

3. What is permitted during the state of Ihram
   

   • Shower-no perfumed soap, oil, shampoo, powder, etc
   • Changing Ihram garment and putting on another, but not regular clothing. (for men only)
   • Brushing teeth with toothpaste.
   • Using mouthwash
   • Combing  hair (intentional removal of hair is prohibited)

4. Prohibitions of the state of Ihram

   • Regular clothing for men only. E.g no shirts, pants, undergarments, etc.: Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, reported: A person asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) what a Muhrim should put on as dress. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do not put on a shirt or a turban, or trousers or a cap, or leather socks except one who does not find shoes; he may put on socks but he should trim them below the ankles. And do not wear clothes to which saffron or wars is applied. (Muslim)

   • Covering the head for men only- no hats, caps, clothes, etc.

   • Perfume- for both men and women.: Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: Wash out the trace of yellowness, or he said: The trace of perfume and put off the cloak and do in your 'Umrah what you do in your Hajj. (Muslim)

   • Cutting of hair, beard, mustache, etc: Ka'b bin 'Ujrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to me at the time of Al-Hudaibiah and I was kindling fire under my cooking pot (Al-Qawariri said "cooking pot" and Abu Al-Rabi' said: "stony pot"). And lice were creeping on my face. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) asked: Do the vermin harm your head? I said: Yes. He said: Get your head shaved and (in lieu of it) observe Fast for three days or feed six needy persons, or offer sacrifice (of an animal). (Muslim)

   • Shaving of armpits and pubic region.: "And do not shave your heads until the Hadi [sacrificial animal] reaches the place of sacrifice." (Al-Baqarah 2:196) The scholars have added to the prohibition of shaving the head, that of shaving any hair on the body, as well as trimming or cutting one’s nails.

   • Clipping of nails.

   • Relations with wife (no intercourse, kissing, etc): "So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj." (Al-Baqarah 2:197)

   • Propose marriage to anyone: I heard ‘Uthman b. ‘Affan say that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had stated: A Muhrim must neither marry himself, nor arrange the marriage of another one, nor should he make the proposal of marriage. (Muslim)

   • Act as the official to marry two other persons.

   • Women do not cover face, expect in the company of strange men: Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A pilgrim woman must neither cover her face nor wear gloves." (Bukhari)

   • Hunting: "forbidden is the pursuit of land game - as long as you are in the Sacred Precincts or in pilgrim garb.'' (Qur'an 5:96)

Talbiyah

1. Its wordings:

   

   "Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-n'imata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak."

   Here we come, O Allah, here we come ! Here we come. No partner have You. Here we come! Praise indeed, and blessings, are Yours--- the Kingdom too! No partner have You!

2. Its Excellence: This is a Du'a which our Prophet (Peace be upon him) chose to recite.

3. Aloud or Silent: Aloud is for men.

4. Its Timings:

   • For Umrah: From the Meeqat until entering Al Masjid Al Haram.

   • For Hajj: From the Meeqat until just before stoning the Jamarah on the 10th of Zhul Hijjah- Kuraib said: 'Abdullah b. 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) narrated from al-Fadl (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) continued pronouncing Talbiya until he reached al-Jamara (al-'Aqaba). (Muslim)

Sanctity of Makkah

1. Makkah is sacred- no hunting, no chasing of animals, no pulling out of shrubbs, etc.

2. Madinah is sacred- Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "Medina is a sanctuary from that place to that. Its trees should not be cut and no heresy should be innovated nor any sin should be committed in it, and whoever innovates in it an heresy or commits sins (bad deeds), then he will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people." (Bukhari)

3. There is no other sacred places besides these two.

4. It is permissible to enter Makkah without Ihram if one does not intend to perform Hajj or Umrah.

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Abu Huraira reported that Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said that there was a person who used to walk with pride because of his thick hair and fine mantles. He was made to sink in the earth and he would go on sinking in the earth until the Last Hour would come. (Muslim, 5203)

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By Sheikh Ahmad Kutty

A mayyit must be bathes before the janazah (funeral) prayer. The exception to this being a shaheed (martyr), who should not be bather, but buried as he is.

Ghusl (bathing) should be performed by persons of the same gender. If persons of the same gender are not available, then ghusl cannot be done; only Tayammum (symbolic ablution) should be performed. A very young child can be bathed by either a male or a female.

However, there is no objection, according to hadith, to spouses performing ghusl on one another. The prophet (upon whom be Allah's blessings and peace) told A'ishah,"If you were to die, I would bathe you and shroud you." (Ibn Majah, Ahmad and others.)

It should also be remembered that it was Ali who bathes his wife Fatimah when she died. (Reported by al-Bayhaqi, al- Daraqutni, etc).

More than one person is needed to perform ghusl. A person familiar with the procedures of ghusl and two helpers should be sufficient.

The absolute minimum requirement (of ghusl) is to bathe the whole body at least once. The complete form of ghusl is as follows:

1. The body should be placed on a high stand or table.


2. Those bathing the mayyit should wear gloves.


3. Cover the body from navel to knee; the 'awrah (private parts) should never be exposed.


4. Plug the wounds with cotton and band-aid, if the body is bleeding.


5. Press the stomach gently so that the excrements can pass out from the body.


6. Wash the private parts without lifting the cloth cover.


7. Give the mayyit a Wudhu (ablution). Do not rinse the mouth with water but clean the teeth and lips with a wet cotton ball if possible.


8. Before pouring water on the body, plug the ear and nose cavities, and mouth if open with cotton balls so that water does not get inside.


9. Wash the whole body from top to bottom, beginning with the right side. Repeat this procedure three or five times, once with soap. The final wash, should preferably be done with a mixture of water and camphor or rose water.


10. Wipe the body dry with clean towel.


11. Apply some scent to the body.


12. Comb the hair gently, sideway for males, and in the case of females, the hair should be combed backwards in three parts.

Ghusl should be performed by close relatives, who are God-fearing or pious. Nothing that would discredit the mayyit can be revealed, as anything undesirable seen during the course of ghusl must be treated as a trust between the person performing ghusl and Allah.

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