Izar in Islam: Meaning, Clothing & Role in Hajj & Umrah
Clothing is an essential part of any occasion, and most of the time, it carries meaning.
Just like any other event, going for pilgrimage is no less than an occasion (with a dress code) for Muslims. What they wear as part of their pilgrimage carries more than the Islamic cultural weight.
Their clothing (Ihram) carries purpose, symbolism, and even a spiritual message.
If you’re a Muslim preparing for Hajj or Umrah, the Izar is one of those garments.
However, beyond its visual simplicity lies something much deeper. So, here’s your call to understand the Izar in Islam and reconnect with the Sunnah.
It will reshape how you view the concepts of modesty, obedience, and humility altogether.
What Is the Izar in Islam?
The word “Izar” (إزار) refers to a garment or wrap. It’s basically a rectangular piece of white cloth worn around the waist to cover the lower body after a pilgrim intends to perform pilgrimage and enters the sacred state of Ihram.
In Arabic, the word “Izar” has been used for centuries and appears in the literature of both the Qur’an and the Hadith.
“In the context of Islam, the Izar clothing symbolises modesty and humility. In addition to that, the Izar meaning in Islam extends beyond mere fabric.”
It reflects a mindset that revolves around letting go of worldly pride and standing equal before Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
This is especially true and can be observed during the sacred rites of Hajj and Umrah, where all the pilgrims wearing the Ihram, no matter rich or poor, show the same state of submission in unison.
What Is the Izar Clothing During Hajj?
Now, getting to the crux, men wear two white, unstitched cloths during Hajj. These cloth pieces are typically of the same length and are distinguished on the basis of how and on which part of the body they are worn.
One cloth piece is called Rida (upper garment).
It is draped over the shoulders to cover the chest and back. The other clothing piece is known as the Izar (lower garment).
The Izar covers the body from the waist to below the knees and must be wrapped securely but modestly.
In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that the Izar must not be tied with safety pins, stitched garments, or belts that resemble sewn tailoring.
Here, this plainness is deliberate because it reminds the pilgrim of the simplicity of death shrouds and the equality of all before Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
As the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Whoever has an atom’s weight of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise”. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
This attire allows no place for arrogance, no scope for pride in worldly wealth or status.
Hence, the Izar is an invitation to humility, not only for the five or so days of Hajj but for life beyond Makkah.
How to Pronounce the Word “Izar”?
The word “Izar” is pronounced as “Ee-zar”, with a soft “z” and it requires emphasis on the second syllable.
It is derived from the Arabic root “ʾz-r” (أزر), which relates to wrapping or binding.
Even though the pronunciation of this word is simple, the concept it carries is profound.
What Part of the Ihram Is the Izar?
Revisiting the parts of the Ihram, the Izar is the lower half of the Ihram attire. It covers the body from the navel to the ankles and is one of the only two clothes a male pilgrim is allowed to wear during Hajj or Umrah.
The upper half is known as the Rida, which covers the upper body from shoulders to chest and back.
How to Wear the Izar?
In contrast to the Rida, wearing the Izar requires a bit of practice, especially for first-time travelers.
Therefore, here’s a basic step-by-step overview:
| Step | Description |
| 1. | Stand with the Izar stretched wide behind your back. |
| 2. | Wrap it around your waist and overlap the right side over the left. |
| 3. | Fold the top edge down at the waist to tighten and secure the wrap. |
| 4. | It must fall at least to the ankles, but don’t drag below. |
| 5. | Avoid using safety pins or stitched belts. A simple cord or tuck works best. |
This simple method not only respects the Hadith guidelines but also keeps the Izar hang neat and modest.
Hadith about the Izar
The messenger of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is the epitome of modesty.
With regard to clothing, he strongly emphasised modesty, particularly regarding garments that hang below the ankles, because this was often a sign of pride or arrogance in Arab culture.
A couple of hadiths in this regard are as follows.
[Source: Sunnah.com]
[Source: Sunnah.com]
It can be inferred that these hadiths weren’t just about the garments themselves; they were about erasing the traits of arrogance that so often seep into what we wear and how we carry ourselves.
Therefore, it can be concluded that Izar is a sunnah of humility.
What Is the Women’s Version of the Izar?
Unlike men, women do not wear the unstitched Ihram of Rida and Izar. Instead, they wear regular loose-fitting clothing that maintains modesty and covers the body properly, except for the face and hands.
However, the spirit of the Izar applies to women too in the form of intention and humility.
So, the purpose remains the same: shedding symbols of status, avoiding pride, and submitting wholly to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) during Umrah, Hajj, or even daily worship.
Summary – Izar
In summary, the Izar isn’t just a cloth piece. It’s a reflection of humility and readiness to meet Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) with full obedience.
In a world that often celebrates excess, wearing the Izar during Hajj, Umrah, or even regular Salah is a gentle reminder that dignity lies in humility, not in fabric or fashion.
So, if you’re preparing for a trip to Madinah and Makkah or just curious about the deeper meanings behind Islamic garments, consider downloading our free PDF guide.
It includes curated duas, insightful Hadith explanations, and step-by-step visual guides to ziyarah locations and travel tips.
Remember, your journey begins with knowledge, and every fold of your Izar can carry meaning if wrapped with intention.
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