The Rituals of Hajj [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

18. Removal of Hair from the Body

Rule 259:

It is forbidden for a
pilgrim, in a state of ihram, to shave or pluck, even a single hair of his, or
another one's, hair, whether in ihram or not. There are three exceptions to this
rule:

if there are plenty of lice on the body of the pilgrim and he is
troubled by them;


if it becomes necessary to remove them, due to, for example, the
length or quantity of hair that may cause headache, or for another reason;


if the hair drop off by themselves in the course of wudhu or ghusl.

Rule 260:

If a pilgrim, in a state of
ihram, shaves his head without any valid reason, the kaffarah is a sheep. If,
however, he does so out of necessity, the penalty is either a sheep, fasting for
three days, or feeding six poor persons, each receiving a kilo and a half of
food.

If he removes the hair under the armpits, the kaffarah is a sheep; as
a matter of precaution, that will also be the penalty, if he removes the hair
under one armpit only. If he removes the hair of the beard, or any other hair,
the kaffarah is feeding a poor person. There is no kaffarah for a pilgrim
shaving the head of another person, irrespective of whether or not the other
person is in a state of ihram.

Rule 261:

There is no objection to a
pilgrim, in a state of ihram, scratching his head or body, if no hair falls off
or blood oozes. If the pilgrim strokes, without any reason, his head or beard,
causing one or two hairs to drop off, he must give, in charity, some food. If
this happens in the course of wudhu or similar act, there is no kaffarah on
him.