The Pillars of Umrah (أركان العمرة)
Umrah has its unique pillars, the incompletion of which would nullify it. They are three: Ihraam, Tawaf and Sa’ee.

The Waajibaat of Umrah (واجبات العمرة)
1. Entering the state of Ihraam from outside the Haram boundary.
2. Shaving or shortening the hair evenly.
The incompletion of these acts would necessitate the pilgrim to expiate with a sacrificial animal. The sacrificial meat should be distributed to the poor in Makkah, and he should not eat from it.

The pillars of Hajj (وأركان الحج)
Whoever does not perform one of them intentionally; his Hajj would be null and void.
1. Ihraam
2. ‘Standing’ in Arafat.
3. Tawaf al-Ifadhah
4. The Sa’ee (for Hajj)

The Waajibaat of Hajj (واجبات الحج)
If one of them is missed out it requires an offering to be killed in Makkah and distributed among the poor people there. The one who offers it should not eat from its meat. If one cannot afford an offering, he must observe ten days of fasting instead; three during the Hajj and seven upon returning home.
1. Entering the state of Ihraam from the Meeqat.
2. Staying in Arafat until sunset.
3. Spending the following night in Muzdalifah.
4. Spending the nights of the days of Tashreeq in Mina.
5. Casting the pebbles.
6. Shaving or shortening the hair evenly for men.
7. Tawaf al-Wada.

What is the Meeqat? The Meeqat are points or stations from where pilgrims on their way to perform the Hajj assume the state of Ihraam.
The Meeqat in terms of time, refer to the months of Hajj; Shawwal, Dhul-Qi’dah, and Dhul-Hijjah.
In terms of places: They are:
1. Dhul-Hulaifah: This is for the people of Madinah, and whoever comes across it by land or air.

2. Al-Juhfah (Today people assume the state of Ihraam from Raabigh instead). This is for the people of Egypt, Sham, and whoever comes across it by land, sea, or air.

3. Yalumlum: This is for the people of Yemen and whoever passes by it.

4. Qarn al-Manaazil: This is for the people of Najd and whoever passes by it, by land or air.

5. Dhatu-Irq’: This is for the people of Iraq, and whoever passes by it, by land or by air.

Sunnah acts of Hajj: (سنن الحج)
1. Having a bath before entering the state of Ihraam.
2. Cutting the fingernails and shortening the mustaches, and plucking the armpit hair, and shaving pubic hair (of course before entering the state of Ihraam).
3. Entering the state of Ihraam after performing a Fard prayer.
4. Saying the Talbiyyah: ‘Labaika Allahumma Labaik’ after entering the state of Ihraam. The men should raise their voices when saying it, as for the women, they should say it quietly to themselves.

The Mah’dthoorat of Ihraam (محظورات الإحرام)
The Mahdthoorat of Ihram are those things which are not lawful for the person who wants to perform Hajj. They are divided into three categories; the first category which is deemed Haram for men only, the second for women only and the third for both men and women.
What is prohibited for both men and women?
1. Cutting the hair or shaving it from the body.
2. Cutting fingernails or toenails
3. Using perfume on either the body or garment.
4. Hunting game animals.
5. Consummating Marriage.
6. The Mubasharah (i.e. contacting a woman skin to skin) or doing a thing which may lead to it such as kissing or fondling.
7. Sexual intercourse. If sexual intercourse took place before preliminary termination of the ihram, the Hajj or Umrah would be nullified, and the pilgrim must offer a sacrificial animal and complete the rituals, and must return next year to perform the annulled Hajj or Umrah. If such violation took place after the preliminary termination of Ihraam and before the complete termination, the Hajj would not be nullified; however, a sacrificial animal must be offered.

What is specifically prohibited for men?
1. Covering the head directly, which means he cannot wear a hat, or a turban… but it is lawful to shade oneself with an umbrella or an indirect cover.[1]
2. Wearing sewn clothes, such as under-pants, t-shirt and so on.

What is specifically prohibited for women?
A woman should not cover her face unless men pass by her. She can wear whatever she wants as long as it conforms to the Islamic dress code. She should cover her hair completely and not wear gloves.

If someone does one of the Mahdthoorat ignorantly:
*If a person does one of these Mahdthoorat while he is ignorant, forced or asleep; he would not have sinned, nor would he have to sacrifice an animal and his Hajj would be correct. Once a person realizes that what he is doing is unlawful, he should immediately quit doing it!
*Whoever intentionally cuts his hair, finger or toenails or covers his head directly or wears sewn clothes, or uses perfume after entering the state of Ihram would commit a sin, and would have to fast three days or feed six needy people.

Lawful things during Ihraam (ما يباح أثناء الإحرام)
1. Showers[2] 4. Wearing sandals 7. Riding a bus
2. Wearing a ring 5. Using an umbrella 8. Wearing a watch
3. Wearing a belt 6. Using a bandage 9. Wearing glasses

[1] There are two conditions in order for this to be considered a ‘Mahdthoorat of Ihram’. The first, it covers the head directly; the Prophet (r) said: ‘…and he should not wear a turban’. An indirect cover is lawful, for the Prophet (r) sat under the shade of a tent on Arafah. The second, it is usually used to cover the head (hats and the like); thus, if one carries a pot or some books on his head, it would not harm his Ihraam.

[2] Do not use shampoo or perfumed soap while you are in the state of Ihram.