Umrah pilgrimage is such a transformative journey for a pilgrim that it expiates the sins and purifies the souls. Throughout the year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims keep on arriving in Makkah for the holy rituals of minor pilgrimage through Umrah Packages 2022 London.
Umrah rituals.
Umrah rituals consist of 4 steps;
1. Assuming the state of Ihram.
2. Performing Tawaf of the Holy Kaabah.
3. Sayee of Safah and Marwah hills.
4. Halq/Taqsir.
For every pilgrim, assuming the state of Ihram is the first and most prominent requisite to be fulfilled. No one can perform the holy rituals without being in the state of Ihram.
Though the general rules and regulations of Ihram are similar for both men and women, there lie some differences as well. One such thing is regarding the footwear worn in Ihram.
Can you wear shoes in Ihram?
It’s permissible for both men and women to wear shoes during Umrah. However, there are some minor things to consider as well.
1. For male pilgrims, their ankles, heel, and instep should remain exposed at all times while in the state of Ihram. That’s why a flat, soft pair of sandals is an ideal thing to opt for. It’s prohibited to wear socks as well.
2. Women, on the other hand, may wear any type of footwear because it’s permissible for them to cover their feet in the state of Ihram.
Some general tips.
• As a general rule of thumb, it is advised for pilgrims that buying new shoes for the holy trip should be avoided. The reason for it is that a new pair of shoes require breaking in, taking a fair amount for loosening up, and softening with use. Rather, one should take a neat and clean comfortable pair of regular use. In case if you don’t have any suitable footwear for your holy journey, it’s better to purchase a pair week in advance and break them in beforehand.
• It’s also better to carry a pair of trainers or sneakers which you can use while you aren’t in the state of Ihram i.e., going for Ziyarath or traveling in the region.
• Prefer buying footwear that is durable, lightweight, and comfortable because you’ll be walking for most of your umrah trip.
• It’s better to carry at least two pairs of footwear. So that in case if one of them tears, you have an extra one to use.
• Wear shoes that are slip-on because they are easy to wear and remove. On the other hand, shoes with laces would only increase your chance of tripping over as laces may get untied frequently.
These are some of the things to consider for your footwear needs during the holy journey of umrah