𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (25)

The Practice of Head Shaving Question: Is shaving the entire head with a razor, such that no hair remains, outside of ḥajj and ʿumrah considered an imitation of the Khawārij? And should one object to a person who does this? Shaykh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh: Shaving the head is a prescribed act of worship that is obligatory in ḥajj and ʿumrah, by explicit textual evidence and scholarly consensus. It is also prescribed—according to one scholarly opinion—for a disbeliever who embraces Islam, based on the Prophet’s ﷺ command to a man who accepted Islam: “Remove from yourself the hair of disbelief and be circumcised.” However, this ḥadīth is subject to scholarly disagreement regarding its authenticity. Likewise, shaving the head of a newborn on the seventh day after birth is a recommended act of worship, due to the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “Every child is held in pledge for his ʿaqīqah; it is slaughtered for him on his seventh day, his head is shaved, and he is named.” As for shaving the head outside these four situations, it may fall under different rulings: It may constitute shirk, such as when a Sufi disciple shaves his head for his shaykh out of humiliation, devotion, glorification, and submission. This was mentioned by Ibn Al-Qayyim in Zād Al-Maʿād (vol. 4, p. 146). It may be an innovation if done as an act of worship or religious devotion, as was the practice of the Khawārij, concerning whom the Prophet ﷺ said: “Their distinguishing sign is shaving the head.” See Al-Istiqāmah (pp. 256–257) by Shaykh al-Islām, may Allāh have mercy on him. It may be sinful, such as shaving the head during times of calamity, or shaving it in imitation of disbelievers or immoral people. It may be permissible, such as shaving the head out of necessity. The Prophet ﷺ came to the family of Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib may Allāh be pleased with him three days after Jaʿfar’s death, summoned a barber, and ordered him to shave the heads of Jaʿfar’s sons. Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahullah said in Zād Al-Maʿād (vol. 4, p. 146): “Lice were more prevalent in the heads of children due to the abundance of moisture in them and their engagement in causes that produce lice; therefore, the Prophet ﷺ shaved the heads of Jaʿfar’s sons.” End quote. The Prophet ﷺ also saw a child whose head was partially shaved and partially left unshaved, and he said: “Shave it all, or leave it all.” As for shaving the head without need, some scholars regarded it as disliked—especially if done habitually such that it becomes a distinguishing feature of the person—because this resembles the Khawārij, about whom the Prophet ﷺ said: “Their distinguishing sign is shaving the head.” Thus, it is preferable to refrain from it. Allāh knows best—particularly since it is not authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ shaved his head except during ḥajj or ʿumrah. Mullā ʿAlī Al-Qārī rahimahullah said in Mirqāt Al-Mafātīḥ (vol. 7, p. 2818): “It is preferable not to shave the head except in one of the two rites (ḥajj or ʿumrah), as was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ together with his Companions, may Allāh be pleased with them.” End quote. Source: https://t.me/qweasdzxcmnblkjpoik/4069 ___ Note: The above discussion relates to males. As for females, refer to the following: https://t.me/womensbenefits/429 https://t.me/womensbenefits/1118 ______ Supplementary benefits ⤵️ Remaining Distinct (Tamyyuz) from Ahlul-Bid’ah Even in Appearance https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1878 Leaving off allowable practices in order to remain distinct from the wrongdoers https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/629 Why does Sheikh Rashād Adh-Dhali'ee discourage his students from wearing black imāmah's? https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/630