Is shaving the head (halq) or shortening the hair (taqsir) a prescribed ritual (nusuk) of Hajj and Umrah?
Chapter on the Description of Hajj
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
Shaving the head or shortening the hair is a prescribed ritual for Hajj and Umrah. This is the apparent position in the Madhhab of Ahmad, the view of Al-Khiraqi, and the opinion held by Malik, Abu Hanifa, and Al-Shafi'i. The basis for this view is the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him. It is narrated by Ibn Umar that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever does not have a sacrificial animal (hady) should circumambulate the House (Tawaf), run between Safa and Marwah, shorten his hair, and become free from Ihram (halala)." It is also narrated by Jabir that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Become free from your Ihram by performing Tawaf around the House, running between Safa and Marwah, and shortening your hair." The command of the Prophet implies obligation. Furthermore, Allah the Exalted described them by saying: "...shaving your heads and shortening your hair..." (Quran 48:27). If it were not a ritual, they would not have been described by it, unlike wearing clothes or hunting game. Additionally, the Prophet, peace be upon him, supplicated mercy upon those who shaved their heads three times and upon those who shortened their hair once, indicating a preferential status that would not apply to mere permissible acts.
Supporting text
A narration from Ahmad states that shaving or shortening the hair is not a ritual (nusuk) but rather a release from a prohibition that was forbidden due to the state of Ihram, similar to releasing the prohibition on clothing, perfume, and other things forbidden during Ihram. According to this narration, nothing is required from one who neglects it, and the state of being free from Ihram (hill) is achieved without it. Evidence cited for this view includes the report from Abu Musa, who was told by the Prophet, peace be upon him, to perform Tawaf and the running between Safa and Marwah, after which the Prophet commanded him: "Become free (ahlal)." Another narration from Jabir states that the Prophet, peace be upon him, told those who did not have a sacrificial animal to release themselves from Ihram (i.e., make it Umrah) after the Sa'i.