Ihram and its demands

Just in case someone is wondering, I forgot to add Al Baqee in the Madina section..

Well. What is Ihram? Clearly, for men it is also the clothes they wear. But for us women? We have no prescribed dress code..

Ihram is a state of body and mind. It is not what you wear, or how often you change it.. its why you wear it and how you behave with it.

It is perfectly alright and allowed to change the dress/abaya/coat that you are wearing. Moreover, for those who wear the face veil - that face covering is not allowed during Ihram. Nothing that is stitched should touch your face. I have seen ladies wear an extra long-shaded cap and hang their niqab over it. But it does touch the face. I have seen it myself. So, dont be more pious than you are specifically told to be. Ditch the veil for that short period. You wear it, because Allah ordered you to. You should take it off, because that too is His command.

Have a shower by all means. Just dont use shampoos and gels.. simple warm water is great anytime. And dont brush your hair so as to break it. No perfumes and no ornaments. Thats all. Reason for no shampoo is that it also contains perfumes which we're supposed to avoid while in ihram. If you can find one that is without, go ahead, use it.

The reason, besides avoiding fitna is that you are not supposed to be spening ur energies and your attention on beautification. Its a time you have given up especially for Allah. Then keep it that way. And even if you dont agree with these reasons, you've been told to do it this way. By the Almighty. So no discussions.

Keep your relationship with Allah foremost in your mind. Supplicate to Him and remember, where you are sitting - in the Haram - if your prayers wont be answered there, where then? I tell you I have personal experience of that...

The best Ibadat you can do there is tawaf.. of course prayers and reading the Quran are great worship. But face it, you can do that at home too. Its just the tawaf you can do no where else...

Dont demand your rights and dont exert your authority.. you are as much a slave of Allah as the rest of the people there. Keep that in mind and youre on the right road...