Being in Ihram means not whinging about people, not intentionally harming anyone and if you're married, no sexual relations with your spouse.

BBC: Aerial view of Great Mosque at Mecca - file 2006

And so into their ihram they got, and headed for the mosque for some last minute supplication and quiet before heading off.

CNN: Hajj diary: The great migration

To do that we'll have to enter a state of Ihram - which has strict codes on what to do, how to dress and how to behave.

BBC: Aerial view of Great Mosque at Mecca - file 2006

Adil and Khadija, in their "ihram, " headed for the Grand Mosque to perform their pilgrimage rites, Mohammed and the minder settled themselves into our rooms at the Hilton.

CNN: Preparing to cover The Hajj

Last night, we noticed a group of nervous-looking pilgrims in ihram standing defensively together as they waited for the lift to bear them to the upper reaches of the mall.

CNN: Preparing to cover The Hajj

The streets leading up to and around the Grand Mosque -- known as the Haram -- are overflowing with pilgrims in their ihram -- and our car has a hard time navigating the streets without sideswiping one or another pilgrim.

CNN: Preparing to cover The Hajj