Things Forbidden During Umrah: What Every Pilgrim Should Know about Umrah

Umrah is a very spiritual experience that draws a Muslim closer to Allah. All pilgrims coming to seek this holy experience need to know not only about the rituals but also about what is prohibited during Umrah.

Knowing what to avoid ensures acceptance of your efforts and maintains your focus on prayers and worship.

This blog represents the key Umrah dos and don’ts you should remember before and during your pilgrimage.

1. Do not forget the Importance of Ihram

Before starting Umrah, pilgrims enter the sacred state of Ihram. This spiritual obligation of Umrah comes with specific guidelines, and certain behaviors become restricted.

Once you wear the Ihram and make your intention, you must avoid anything forbidden during Umrah that can invalidate your Ihram.

Dos of Ihram:

• Wear your Ihram properly.
• Men should wear two unstitched white sheets, covering their aura.
• Women should wear modest clothing that covers their bodies without adornment.
• Maintain cleanliness and purity.

Don’t:

• Wear stitched or decorative clothing if you are a man.
• Use perfumes, scented soaps, or fragranced products after entering the Ihram.

2. Refrain from Personal Grooming Activities

While in Ihram, certain grooming acts are considered among the things forbidden during Umrah. The Prophet ﷺ clearly instructed pilgrims to avoid anything that may alter their natural state or show vanity.

This means that cutting or removing hair before completing the rituals is not allowed.

Do:

• Maintain natural cleanliness before entering Ihram.
• Wash with unscented soap if needed.

Don’t:

• Cut hair or nails while in Ihram.
• Apply any form of fragrance, oil, or makeup.

3. Avoid Arguments and Bad Conduct

Among the Umrah do’s and don’ts, one of the most emphasized is maintaining good manners and peaceful behavior. Pilgrimage is a time to soften the heart and purify one’s character.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return [free from sin] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.”

— (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1521)

Though this Hadith speaks about Hajj, its spirit includes Umrah. Abstaining from arguments, foul speech, and anger preserves your spiritual purity.

Do:

• Speak kindly and respectfully to others.
• Engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and seek forgiveness.

Don’t:

• Argue, quarrel, or raise your voice.
• Gossip or speak ill of others.

4. Respect for Life and Creation

The sanctity of life is deeply honored during Ihram. The Qur’an forbids harming any living creature within the sacred grounds.

“O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of Ihram.”

(Surah Al-Maida: 5-95)

Do:

• Show kindness and mercy to all living creatures.
• Avoid stepping on insects or disturbing wildlife.

Don’t:

• Hunt, kill, or harm animals.
• Cut trees or damage plants within the sacred area.

5. Upholding Modesty and Discipline

Among the things forbidden during Umrah are actions that contradict modesty and chastity. The state of Ihram is meant to detach pilgrims from worldly desires.

Do:

• Lower your gaze and maintain modesty.
• Focus on acts of worship and reflection.

Don’t:

• Engage in romantic or physical contact with your spouse.
• Speak or joke about inappropriate topics.

6. Respect for the Sacred Places

Makkah and Madinah are blessed lands, and every pilgrim must uphold their sanctity. Cleanliness, respect, and patience are part of the Umrah do’s and don’ts.

Do:

• Keep the holy sites clean and avoid littering.
• Be patient and respectful toward others.

Don’t:

• Push, rush, or disturb fellow pilgrims during rituals.
• Treat the sacred sites disrespectfully.

Understanding the things forbidden during Umrah allows every pilgrim to perform this devotion with sincerity and correctness, maintaining spiritual purity and ensuring that their efforts are pleasing to Allah.

So, remember these dos and don’ts when you perform Umrah next time to make your worship even more rewarding.