How to Wear Ihram | Ahram Bandhne Ka Tarika

How to Wear Ihram | Ahram Bandhne Ka Tarika:

Introduction:

The biggest issue for us city dwellers is that we feel uncomfortable wearing a tehband (waist wrap). We're not used to tying a tehband. People from rural areas often wear a tehband even at home, so they don’t find Ihram difficult at all. If you get used to wearing a tehband, you'll become Ihram-friendly.

Common Concerns About Wearing a Tehband:

The biggest issue for us, especially city folks, is how to tie a tehband. Controlling the tehband causes stress. If you learn the proper way to tie the lower garment of the Ihram, your Hajj will become easier.

Even if you are performing Hajj Qiran, it will go smoothly—but only if you wear the Ihram properly. If you're constantly adjusting the Ihram, when will you focus spiritually Sometimes, I find it strange that people keep asking, “When can I take off the Ihram”

I say, earlier you were crying, “When will I get to wear the Ihram” Now that you’re wearing it, you’re anxious to remove it. Relax—what’s the rush.

Learning to Tie the Tehband:

Once you learn how to tie the Ihram properly, that anxiety will go away. First, I’ll explain how to tie the tehband.

First, check whether this Ihram fits your size. To check, place it above your navel and see whether it touches your feet. If it does, that means the size is correct. If you place it at your navel and it's already above your ankles, then it’s too small for you.

Let’s begin: Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

How to Tie the Lower Garment

Now tighten it slightly from one side. Tighten as much as you need. Then bring both ends back with your hands. After that, bring them around again—essentially, you are folding it.

It’s up to you how many times you fold it—once, twice. It’s better if the Ihram is above your ankles. If it’s too long, fold it four times.

For example, I’ve folded it four times now.

Common Mistakes When Wearing Ihram:

Another common mistake made by those going for Hajj or Umrah—since I’m demonstrating while wearing clothes—is that when you wear Ihram for real, you will not wear anything underneath. No undergarments or underwear.

When men wear Ihram, their bodies should only be covered by seamless sheets. No cap or turban should be worn either. Remember that.

When you wear the Ihram, you’re wearing nothing underneath. This overlapping and wrapping method is helpful—so if strong wind blows and lifts the sheet, your body will still be covered. You won’t be exposed.

Wearing Ihram this way also makes walking much easier.

Building the Habit of Wearing Tehband

If I tie it myself, or if you practice, you’ll be able to do it in 30 seconds. You won’t even notice—your habit will develop, and you’ll tie it easily.

Even if you don’t wear a belt, the Ihram will stay in place.

Some pilgrims make a mistake because they’re used to tying a towel after a shower. So they tie the Ihram like a towel. This restricts movement, making it hard to walk, and you keep adjusting it.

Don’t tie it like that. While tying might work, you'll stay stressed.

Here’s a tip to become Ihram-friendly: if a few days remain before Hajj, then at night, when you're alone in your room, start sleeping in a tehband.

Practicing at Home Before Hajj:

If you spend 5–7 days using a tehband to sleep, go to the washroom, and relax at home, you’ll be well-practiced. Then at Hajj, you’ll feel much more confident.

You won’t need to practice there because you already did it here.

Even if you wear out the tehband, no worries—leave it at home and take a new Ihram with you. But practice with a sincere intention, and it’ll become very easy.

Benefits of Using a Belt with Ihram:

There are many types of belts available. If you get one with pockets, it’s very useful. These are easy to tie with a clip at the back.

You can store your phone, important documents, or a little cash in it.

Practical Travel Tips for Pilgrims

One suggestion: if you're going for Hajj, take two mobile phones. If you have a smartphone or expensive phone, also take a basic one. Use the basic one when entering the Haram, Mina, or Arafat.

Some people leave their belt in the ablution area and lose their expensive phone or all their money. Don’t do that.

Keep larger sums in your hotel or bag. Just keep 25–100 riyals in your belt for snacks, etc.

Also, keep your hotel card and guide’s (muallim’s) card in your belt. In case of emergency, people will know where you're staying and who your group leader is.

If you have children or family, make sure to keep the hotel and muallim’s card in their pockets too, so if they get separated, someone can help them find their way back.

How to Check the Upper Sheet Size:

Now about the upper sheet of the Ihram—it’s usually like a towel. Check whether it's your size.

It should be slightly bigger so that it helps during prayer, especially in ruku (bowing).

To check size, wrap it around once and make sure it reaches the shoulder again. That means it’s suitable for you.

If it does, then during ruku, it won’t fall off. Otherwise, if the Ihram is too short, every time you bow in prayer, it’ll slip off, and you’ll keep adjusting it. That causes confusion.

So it's better if the Ihram wraps fully and reaches your other shoulder again.

Modesty in Prayer While Wearing Ihram:

Once you’ve worn the Ihram properly, you’ll feel comfortable, inshaAllah.

Sometimes, pilgrims make mistakes due to lack of practice. For example, if you're praying in Ihram and say “Allahu Akbar,” your chest and stomach might be exposed if you aren't wearing a shirt.

Amir-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat taught a beautiful method: while praying in Ihram, say “Allahu Akbar” in such a way that your chest and stomach stay covered.

To be honest, right now I’ve worn the Ihram just for demonstration, but when someone wears Ihram for real—without any other clothes—it carries a message:

Spiritual Message of the Ihram:

One day, all my clothes will be taken off and I’ll be wrapped in a kafan (shroud). These sheets of Ihram remind us of that final journey.

When someone wears the Ihram and begins to say Labbaik, the emotional and spiritual feeling that comes over them—it’s something that can’t be described in words

We pray to Allah Almighty to bless us with the true experience of wearing the Ihram, saying Labbaik, and being present at His doorsteps