Chapter: Entering the State of Ihram

One may assume ihram in a designated form—by intending Hajj, ʿumrah, or both—or in an open form, intending nothing beyond the very act of ihram. Specifying the rite is preferred, although another opinion favors the open form.

If someone enters ihram without specification during the months of Hajj, he may, by an inner intention, direct it to whichever of the two rites he wishes, or to both, and then proceed with the required actions. Should he do so outside the Hajj months, the sounder view is that it counts as ʿumrah and may not later be redirected to Hajj once the Hajj months begin.

A person may also declare, “I assume ihram as Zayd has done.” If Zayd is not in ihram, the speaker’s ihram takes effect in an open, unspecified form. Some jurists say that if he knows Zayd is not in ihram, his own ihram does not take effect at all. Conversely, if Zayd is in ihram, the speaker’s ihram is valid.