as well. This further distinguishes it from trousers and a shirt, so there is nothing wrong with it. Some people use it nowadays because it better prevents the private parts from being exposed. We say: As long as it is called an izār (waist-wrapper), it is an izār and is lawful.

His statement, “If a male wears a sewn garment, he must offer compensation,” excludes the female. She may wear whatever she wishes, for there are no specific garments prescribed for her in the state of ihrām. However, she may not wear anything that constitutes adornment or display, because she will be among people during the circumambulation and the saʿy.

Issue: Is any clothing forbidden to her?

Answer: Yes. Gloves and the niqāb are forbidden to her.

Gloves are garments for the hands, and they are well known.

The niqāb is a face covering: a woman covers her face while leaving an opening for her eyes sufficient for her to see through. It has not been reported from the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, that he prohibited a woman in ihrām from covering her face; rather, he prohibited only the niqāb, because it is a garment specifically made for the face. There is a difference between the niqāb and covering the face. Thus, if a woman in ihrām covers her face, we would say: there is nothing wrong with this. However, it is preferable for her to uncover it so long as non-mahram men are not around her; but she must cover her face from them.

Issue: Are socks forbidden to her?

Answer: No. Socks are forbidden specifically to men, because they are like leather socks.

Are gloves forbidden to a man?