Hajj is a deeply profound journey made compulsory by Allah. Every adult Muslim who is financially stable and physically capable is bound to perform Hajj at least once in their lives. While performing Umrah and Hajj, pilgrims make mistakes unconsciously at times, and such mistakes make Hajj invalid. It is important for pilgrims to understand Ihram customs and laws of Hajj in order to gain countless blessings of Hajj. Hajj Companions’ all-inclusive Hajj Packages 2025 often provide Knowledgeable guides to help pilgrims understand the etiquates of Ihram. During Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims must follow some set of rules. Non-adherence to the rules in the state of Ihram can lead to the violation of Ihram, and pilgrims must have to pay Fidyah (Penalty) for these mistakes.
Common Violations and Their Penalties
Hajj Companions invest much time in crafting a thoughtful Hajj Package that leaves no room for mistakes. Their professional Hajj guides remain with pilgrims at every step to make every Hajj step easy. Their guidance enables pilgrims to follow the Ihram rules strictly. Fidyah is not a punishment but a source to correct the mistakes made. The Fidyah must be given in Makkah. Common violations that necessitate Fidyah are
Applying fragrances: Fidyah becomes mandatory to pay when you apply perfume or cut hair while you are in Ihram.
Failed to Perform Wajib Ritual of Hajj: If pilgrims skip any important ritual such as rami or do not enter the Ihram state from Miqat etc.
Hunting Animals: It is forbidden to hunt animals within the Haram boundary and in Ihram state. Pilgrims who hunt animals or cut trees within sacred boundaries have to pay Fidyah.
Types of Penalties
There are three types of penalties depending on the nature of the violation made:
Badanah: In this, the pilgrim has to offer a sacrifice of a large animal, such as a camel or a cow.
Damm: Sacrificing a small animal such as a sheep or a goat.
Sadaqah: It is offering charity to the poor. It is normally offered in the form of food such as flour, wheat, barley, dates, or raisins. Depending on the type of violation, there are three types of Sadaqah:
- Complete Sadaqah al-Fitr: This type of Sadaqah is equal to 3Kg of wheat, 6Kg of barley or 6Kg of dates or raisins or an equal amount of money.
- Less than Sadaqah Al-Fitr: This type involves giving a handful of wheat or equivalent.
- Sadaqah Equivalent to the Value: Sadaqah becomes mandatory for cutting trees or grass within the boundaries of the Haram.
Violations of Ihram
Following are the violations of Ihram. Pilgrims must avoid committing these violations.
- Entering the Miqat without coming into Ihram. The penalty for this violation is offering Damm. The penalty will be waived if the pilgrim returns to the Miqat and re-enters Miqat in Ihram state.
- Applying Fragrances: After entering the state of the Ihram, pilgrims are not allowed to apply fragrances or something with fragranced tissue on the Ihram and small areas of the body, even for a moment. This violation necessitates paying Sadaqah al-Fitr.
- Large Quantity Fragrance: If a pilgrim applies a large quantity of fragranced substances to any parts of the body, he/she has to offer Damm.
Wearing Stitched Clothing: Male pilgrims must wear two white unstitched sheets of clothes and must not wear clothes that are stitched/sewn/tailored to fit the shape of the body. Damm becomes necessary to offer if pilgrims wear stitched clothing for 12 hours or more. If they wear it for less than 12 hours, then Sadaqah al-Fitr is due, and if they wore it for less than an hour, a handful of wheat can be given as Sadaqah. Women may wear any kind of modest dress.
Footwear: Pilgrims are not allowed to wear shoes or socks that cover the ankle or top part of the foot. Women can wear shoes and socks in Ihram. Pilgrims will offer Damm if they wear prohibited footwear for 12 hours or more.
Covering Head/Face: Male pilgrims can not cover their faces or heads in Ihram. If they cover it 12 hours or more, Damm will be offered. For less than 12 hours with a quarter of face/head covered, they will pay Sadaqah al-Fitr. And if they covered it for less than 12 hours, Sadaqah al-Fitr is due. Even a woman will offer a penalty if she covers her face for 12 hours or more, the penalty is Damm for more than 12 hours and Sadaqah al-Fitr for less than 12 hours.
Shaving, Cutting & Removing Hair: Damm will be obligatory to pay if pilgrims remove a quarter of hair from their head or beard. If they cut less than a quarter, Sadaqah al-Fitr and Damm are due, depending on the length of the haircut.
Clipping the Nails: Pilgrims are not allowed to cut their nails while in Ihram. Depending on the size of the nail cut, Damm and Sadaqah al-Fitr will be paid.
No Intercourse: Sexual relationship is not allowed in the state of Ihram. Damm becomes obligatory to pay if such a violation happens.
It is essential for pilgrims to learn about the restrictions of the Ihram and the Haram boundary. Following Ihram rules is a must to ensure the pilgrimage is valid and spiritually rewarding. Hajj Companions’ carefully crafted Hajj Packages 2025 often include knowledgeable guides to help pilgrims stay on the right track without committing any violation.
