Explanation

The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) knew that there is a special appearance for the person in the state of Ihrām. For this reason a man asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the permissible things that a Muhrim may wear. Since it would be more appropriate to ask about the things that a Muhrim should avoid to wear, because they are limited, and since the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) always used the fewest most precise words to relay the most comprehensive information, he replied by clarifying what to avoid wearing, thus implying that all the rest is permissible to wear and imparting much knowledge (in a few words). The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) started listing what the Muhrim man is forbidden from wearing, with each item implying that what resembles it is also forbidden. He said: He should not wear a shirt and everything that is tailored and sewn with stitches to be form-fitting. He should not wear a turban or anything that covers the head by being attached to it. He should not wear pants. He should not wear anything that covers a part (or parts) of the body, whether sewn or unsewn, like gloves or leather socks or the like. He should not wear on his legs what covers the ankles, like cotton or wool or leather socks. Whoever does not find sandals/slippers to wear during his Ihrām may wear leather socks but he should cut them so that they would be below his ankles and resemble sandals. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) added additional benefits that were not part of the man’s question but were called for by the situation. He clarified what is impermissible for both the male and female Muhrim to wear, saying that they should not wear any clothes, whether sewn or unsewn, that are perfumed with Saffron or Wars (kinds of scents), indicating by this that all kinds of perfume are to be avoided. Then he explained what is necessary for a woman specifically to avoid in her state of Ihrām; namely covering her face and inserting her hands into what covers them; he said: "and a woman should not wear a face cover or gloves."