What is the ruling regarding the amount to be trimmed from the hair of a woman?
Chapter on the Description of Hajj
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The required action for a woman is trimming (taqsir) and not shaving (halq), and there is no scholarly disagreement on this. Shaving is considered excessive for women. This is supported by the Prophet's statement: "Shaving is not required of women; only trimming is required of women." Another narration confirms that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade women from shaving their heads.
Supporting text
Ahmad stated that a woman should trim the length of one finger joint (anmalah) from all sides of her hair. This is the view of Ibn Umar, Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Abu Thawr. Ahmad specified that the hair should be gathered to the front, and then the ends, equivalent to the length of one finger joint, should be taken. A man who trims similarly is subject to the same ruling regarding the amount.