3rd March 2026
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: Shortly after Ramadhān, we will be travelling for Umrah and will be taking a 22-month-old infant with us. To keep the child safe, is it permissible for his father or any other male guardian to wear a safety harness/sling while in the state of Ihrām? Also please clarify if there is any difference in hukm for different types of harnesses as some can be on the adult’s wrist, some can be on their chest and some can be on their back.
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer: In reference to your query, as a general principle, a male in the state of Ihrām is prohibited from wearing sewn garments that are tailored to fit the body or limbs in the manner of normal clothing.[1] The prohibition relates to garments worn as clothing, such as shirts, trousers and similar stitched attire. As for wearing a child safety harness or sling, then such items are not regarded as clothing rather as functional carrying aids. Therefore, wearing a baby sling for the purpose of carrying or securing a young child is permissible in the state of Ihrām.[2]
Always remember that the determining factor is whether the item resembles ordinary stitched clothing worn as attire. If it is merely a device used to carry the child even if worn over the shoulders, chest or back, it does not take the ruling of prohibited garments, and therefore no penalty (dam or sadaqah) is required.[3]
Likewise, wearing a wrist tether is permissible as it is not clothing. Similarly, a chest or back carrier is allowed provided it remains a functional support device only and not fitted garment resembling conventional dress as explained above.
[Allāh Knows Best]
Written by: Apa Sumayya Qazi Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed
Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] Radd al Muhtar, Bāb al Ihrām, Vol 2, pg 488.
و لا يلبس المحيط الذي يفصل على قدر البدن أو العضو.
[2] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitab al Manasik, Vol 1, pg 224.
و لا بأس بشد الهميان أو منطقة للمحرم سواء كان في الهميان نفقته أو نفقة غيره، وسواء كان شد المنطقة بالإبر يسم أو بالسيور هكذا في البدائع و سراج الوهاج..
[3] Fath al Qadir, Kitab al Hajj, Vol 3, pg 35.
الممنوع ما كان على هيئة اللباس المعتاد..