Answered by Shaykh Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf Mangera
I was wondering if it is permissible to use in ihram: 1.toothpaste, 2.unperfumed deodorant, 3.unperfumed soap, 4.suntan protection cream if one fears being burned due to having very fair skin. Also, when I went for umrah, I mistakenly removed my ihram before having my hair cut. does this necessitate an expiation?
Assalamu alaykum
In the name of Allah the Inspirer of truth.
Although it is permitted to use unperfumed deodorant, unperfumed soap, it is better to avoid them totally during the ihram. Unperfumed suntan lotion would be permissible in times of necessity for those who need to use it. Haj is nowadays in relatively cooler weather.
It would be permissible to use toothpaste that does not contain too much of a minty taste and fragrance. However, a toothstick [miswak] is most preferable.
Remember this is the ruling for a person during the state of Ihram, i.e. for the five days of haj [or more] while the person is in pilgrim sanctity. The reason for this is that the spirit of haj is to remain in an unkept ungroomed state; where a person makes the appearance of someone lost in the love of worshipping Allah and has forgotten everything else.
Ibn ‘Umar narrates that a person approached the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam and asked, “Who is a pilgrim?” He told him, “The one who is in a disheveled unkept state [al-sha’th], the one who is unperfumed [al-tafil].
“Al-tafil ” actually means a person whose body odor has changed due to neglecting the use of perfume. Outside the Ihram, it is permitted to use the above mentioned items.
As for taking your ihram of before cutting the hair, this needs more clarification. Could you explain what was meant by taking the ihram off.
And Allah knows best.
Abdurrahman Ibn Yusuf Mangera
[F: For the fiqh of Hajj, see the Files section at http://www.sunnipath.com ]