The litham has served as protection from the dust and extremes of temperature characterizing the desert environment.[1] In cases of blood feuds, it also served as protection against violence by making the wearer difficult to recognize.[1] Wearing of the litham is not viewed as a religious requirement, although it was apparently believed to provide magical protection against evil forces.[1] It is included among the garments which pilgrims are forbidden to wear by the Islamic doctrine in the ritual state of ihram.[1]