Is the ruling regarding the expiation (Fidya) the same for head hair and body hair?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The ruling concerning expiation is the same for head hair and other body hair because shaving body hair results in comfort and cleanliness, thus resembling the head hair. If a person shaves hair from both their head and body, there is only one expiation due, even if the amount shaved is extensive. Similarly, if a person shaves two hairs from the head and two hairs from the body, only one sacrifice is incumbent. This is the apparent view of Al-Kharaqi and the preferred position of Abu Al-Khattab, adopted by the majority of jurists. The justification is that all hair constitutes a single genus within the body, so the expiation is not multiplied based on different locations, similar to clothing. The claim of distinction is refuted by analogy with wearing clothes, as uncovering the head is required for exiting Ihram, but the expiation for wearing covered garments is singular regardless of which covered items were worn.
Supporting text
There are two narrations concerning this issue according to Abu Al-Khattab. The first aligns with the majority view mentioned above. The second narration states that if the amount shaved from the head and the body individually reaches the threshold requiring the sacrifice, then two sacrifices are due. This second opinion is mentioned by Al-Qadi and Ibn Aqil, based on the reasoning that the head is distinct from the body because ritual dissolution (Tahlul) is achieved through dealing with the head hair, which is not the case for the body hair.