What are the sunnahs of entering the state of ihram?

Question:
The questioner asks: Is it actually part of the sunnah that entering the state of ihram should be after an obligatory prayer?

Answer:
No, it is not a condition for entering the state of ihram that it be after a prayer, whether obligatory or otherwise. However, the recommended and better practice, if one intends to enter the state of ihram at the time of an obligatory prayer, is to delay entering the state of ihram until he prays the obligatory prayer and then enters the state of ihram afterwards, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. As for if the time is not the time of an obligatory prayer, he has the choice: if he wishes, he prays two rak'ahs and enters the state of ihram afterwards, and if he wishes, he enters the state of ihram without a prayer. Yes.