Entering ihram

Entering ihram for Hajj or Umrah signifies marriage for an unmarried person and separation from one's wife for a married person. For the sick it signifies death, since ihram is likened to a shroud.

Entering ihram together with one's wife signifies divorce and separation. Standing at Arafat signifies attainment of one's wishes; standing at the Kaaba signifies well-being and happiness in this world and the next; praying inside the Kaaba signifies accepted prayers and blessings in both worlds.

Seeing oneself enter ihram and set out for Hajj is interpreted in four ways: performing Hajj, forgiveness, blessing and abundance, and joy and prosperity. For an unmarried person, entering ihram signifies marriage to a virtuous woman. For a sick person it signifies death, because the ihram garments are in one respect like a shroud.