Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah addressed a question about whether a woman may shave all her hair when completing Hajj or Umrah, explaining what an adult woman is required to do and the circumstances in which shaving is permitted.
Ruling on Shaving All a Woman’s Hair
Dar Al-Ifta explained that an adult woman should trim her hair when completing Hajj or Umrah and should not shave all of it.
An exception applies when she is suffering from a condition causing harm or discomfort, or when she is a girl who has not yet reached puberty. In these circumstances, shaving the head is permissible.
Dar Al-Ifta also explained that shaving or trimming the hair is part of the rituals associated with completing Hajj and Umrah, referring to the Quranic verse:
﴿لَتَدْخُلُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِينَ مُحَلِّقِينَ رُءُوسَكُمْ وَمُقَصِّرِين﴾
Shaving for Men and Trimming for Women
The ruling explained by Dar Al-Ifta distinguishes between men and women in this part of the pilgrimage rituals.
Shaving the head is prescribed for men, while women are instructed to trim their hair. A woman can complete this part of the ritual by trimming some of the ends of her hair.
This is supported by the reported Prophetic statement: “Women are not required to shave; they are only required to trim.”
The Prophetic tradition also mentions supplication for those who shave their heads and subsequently for those who trim, reflecting the distinction between the practices of men and women.
How Much Hair Should a Woman Trim?
Dar Al-Ifta explained that an adult woman should trim her hair when completing Hajj or Umrah.
The jurists mentioned that taking a small amount from the ends of the hair fulfills the requirement, while trimming an amount approximately equal to a fingertip from all of the hair has been described as preferable.
The trimming performed by a woman serves the role that shaving fulfills for a man in completing this part of the pilgrimage ritual.
When May a Woman Shave Her Entire Head?
There are specific exceptions in which a woman may shave her head.
According to the ruling, this includes a situation in which she is suffering from harm or discomfort. It also applies to a girl who has not reached puberty.
For an adult woman who has no such reason, the prescribed practice when completing Hajj or Umrah is to trim the hair rather than shave it completely.
Summary of the Ruling
For an adult woman completing Hajj or Umrah, the prescribed practice is to trim the hair rather than shave it completely.
Shaving is prescribed for men, while trimming is prescribed for women. An exception applies when a woman is suffering from harm or when she is a girl who has not reached puberty.
Can a woman shave all her hair after Hajj or Umrah?
The general ruling is that an adult woman should trim her hair rather than shave it completely.
What should a woman do when completing Umrah?
She should trim some of the ends of her hair to complete this part of the ritual.
Is shaving specifically prescribed for men?
Yes. Shaving is prescribed for men, while women are instructed to trim their hair.
When can a woman shave her entire head?
It is permitted when she is suffering from harm or for a girl who has not reached puberty.
How much hair should a woman trim?
She should trim from her hair, with jurists describing trimming from all the hair by approximately a fingertip as preferable.
