Islamic Verdicts - Volume IV

The Book of Hajj Rites 

 Shaving the head and cutting the hair short

The ruling on whoever forgot to shave his Head or cut his Hair

Q: What is the ruling on whoever forgot to shave his head or cut it for 'Umrah, and he wore seamed garments and then remembered that he did not cut his hair or shave his head?

A: Whoever forgot to shave his head or cut his hair for 'Umrah, and he already performed Tawaf and Say, and then he wore (normal) clothes before shaving his head or cutting his hair, he must remove his (normal) clothes when he remembers. Then he must shave his head or cut his hair, and then put back on his (normal) clothes. If he cut his hair or shaved his head while wearing his (normal) clothing, due to ignorance or forgetfulness on his part, there is no sin on him and that suffices him. There is no need for him to repeat cutting his hair or shaving his head. However, whenever he becomes aware (of what he should be doing), then it is obligatory on him to remove the normal clothes so that he can shave his head or cut his hair while he is in Ihram.

The Permanent Committee

She did not cut her Hair due to forgetfulness

Q: A woman performed Hajj and she did all of the acts of Hajj, except that she did not cut her hair until now, due to ignorance or forgetfulness. She reached her homeland and she did all of the things that are prohibited for the person in Ihram. Thus, she asks what is required of her and what is the result of this?

A: If the matter is as the questioner mentioned, in that she did everything but cutting her hair due to forgetfulness or ignorance on her part, then she must cut the hair of her head in her homeland and there is nothing due on her. This is because she delayed it due to her ignorance or forgetfulness, while she had the intention of completing the Hajj. We ask Allah to grant success to everyone and acceptance. Since it was mentioned in the question that her husband had sex with her before cutting her hair, she must slaughter a sheep or a seventh of a camel that is suitable for sacrifice. It is to be slaughtered in Makkah for the poor people of the Haram, unless the sex took place after her leaving the Haram when she was in her homeland or some other place. In that case, she slaughters the animal in her homeland, and divides it up for distribution among the poor people there. |

The Permanent Committee