Due to Covid-19, many airlines are now making it mandatory to wear the mask during Iḥrām during the flights. During Hajj and ʿUmrah, the Saudi authorities will also probably make it mandatory or strongly recommend it.
In this scenario, what is the ruling on wearing a mask and is there any penalty as it touches the face?
Answer
Under normal circumstances, it is not permitted to cover the face in iḥrām with a mask that touches the face. However, wearing a face mask due to Covid-19 is excused based on need and regulations, although it will necessitate a penalty.
If a person wears the mask continuously for more than 12 hours and it covers quarter of the face or more, the penalty is:
- a Dam (sacrifice of a goat or equivalent in ḥaram)
- or fasting three days anywhere
- or giving six poor people Ṣadaqah (the amount of Ṣadaqah al-Fiṭr each) anywhere.
On the other hand, if a person wears the mask for less than 12 hours or it does not cover quarter of the face, the penalty is to give Ṣadaqah (the amount of Ṣadaqah al-Fiṭr) to a poor person anywhere or fast for one day anywhere*.
If the mask is used, removed, and re-used several times whilst in the same iḥrām, there is only one penalty. Thus, if it is not used for 12 hours continuously at any one time or it covers less than a quarter of the face, the penalty is Ṣadaqah to a poor person or one fast, even if cumulatively the use exceeds 12 hours. It is therefore strongly advised that one avoids wearing the mask continuously for 12 hours.
Tip:
It should be noted that it is not necessary to make intention of entering in the state of iḥrām at home or at the airport. Rather, one can make intention of entering into iḥrām just before passing mīqāt whilst on the plane although the iḥrām clothes can be worn in advance. This may be worth considering to avoid exceeding 12 hours.
Allah knows best
(Mufti) Yusuf Shabbir
22 Shawwāl 1441 / 14 June 2020
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmad and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
Source and further reference: https://islamicportal.co.uk/wearing-a-mask-in-ihram/
*Hajj Naseeha recommends you to donate the Sadaqah to a cleaner in the Haramain or via Ummah Welfare Trust www.uwt.org