Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:

It is not permissible to shave the head while in the state of ihram, but in this distressing condition, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) granted Ka'b ibn 'Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) permission to shave his head, and at the same time ordered him to give expiation (kaffarah), the details of which have been mentioned.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
It is not permissible to shave the head while in the state of ihram, except in a situation of hardship, in which case shaving the head is allowed, but expiation (kaffarah) must be given. This is as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) granted permission to Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) to shave his head, but at the same time ordered him to give expiation, the details of which are mentioned in the hadith.

(2)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) writes that Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) mentioned this hadith here to show that if a person in ihram needs to shave some hair from his head in order to undergo cupping (hijama), then he may do so. When a person in ihram is permitted to shave his entire head, then permission for shaving a part of it is even more appropriate; however, it is necessary that he gives expiation for this. (Fath al-Bari: 10/191)

Hadith Commentary:
In all these narrations, there is, in one way or another, some mention related to the incident of Hudaybiyyah.
This very mention of the incident is the reason for the relevance of these hadiths to the chapter.
It is permissible to shave the head due to such an illness while in the state of ihram.
However, as expiation for this, this specific compensation must be given.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In both of these hadiths, the incident of Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) is mentioned, and Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) was present at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
All the hadiths narrated under this chapter heading are, in one way or another, related to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

➋
In this noble verse, the mention is made of offering a compensatory sacrifice (dam) for the one who is prevented (from completing the rites).
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And if you are prevented, then (offer) whatever sacrificial animal is available, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its place of slaughter.” ( al-Baqarah: 196/2)

➌
Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) was afflicted with a hardship, and on this basis, an exceptional case in the matter of ritual impurity (hadath) has been mentioned.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The hair of Ka'b bin Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) was thick and long. On the occasion of the ‘Umrah of Hudaybiyyah, so many lice had infested his head that they began to fall onto his face. So the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed him to arrange for a fidyah (compensation) and shave his head.
This hadith clarifies the noble verse () that if a person in the state of ihram shaves his head due to some necessity, then he must either fast for three days, feed six needy people, or at the very least, slaughter one goat.
➋
This applies in the case when, due to some compulsion, a person in ihram shaves his head before the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah.
There is a difference of opinion regarding the place for feeding or offering a sacrifice, apart from fasting.
Some scholars are of the view that the food or sacrifice should be given in Makkah itself, while other scholars believe that, like fasting, there is no specific place designated for them.
Allamah Shawkani (rahimahullah) has agreed with this latter opinion.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) inquired, Ka'b ibn 'Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) submitted that lice were troubling him. He also expressed his discomfort to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). This was not in the manner of complaint, but rather so that you might provide a solution. Accordingly, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) alleviated his discomfort by calling a barber and having his hair shaved off so that he might be relieved from the distress caused by lice. Then, he ordered him to pay a ransom (fidya) in compensation for this.
(2)
In any case, if someone expresses his discomfort to his brothers so that they may alleviate it or supplicate to Allah for him, then expressing discomfort before creation is not a prohibited complaint.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) donned the ihram after departing from Madinah Tayyibah at Dhu’l-Hulayfah. After a journey of eight days, he reached near Makkah. The disbelievers of Quraysh prevented him from performing ‘umrah. Several days were spent in negotiations with each other, until Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) became infested with lice, and their number increased so much that they began to fall onto his face while he was cooking food. He was not permitted to kill them, nor was he allowed, in the state of ihram, to catch and throw them away. In such circumstances, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered him to shave his head. Then, regarding the compensation (fidya) for this, he gave instructions. This fidya was not due to the removal of ihram, and the command to shave the head was because of the hardship caused by the lice in his head.

2.
It should be noted that a “farq” is a measure, which according to the current weight, is approximately six kilos and three hundred grams.

Hadith Commentary:
The hadith of Ka'b ibn 'Ujrah regarding the expiation (fidya) of Hajj has no connection with the expiation for oaths.
However, Imam Bukhari has included it in this chapter because, just as there is an option in the expiation for Hajj—one may choose whichever of the three options one wishes—similarly, in the expiation for oaths, the one who swears an oath also has the choice to perform whichever of the three expiations mentioned in the Qur'an he wishes.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In one narration, it is stated that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Shave your head, but (as expiation) either fast for three days, or feed six needy people, or slaughter a sheep.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Muhsar, Hadith: 1814)

Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has cited this hadith to show that in the expiation for oaths (kafarat al-yamin), a person has a choice; he may choose whichever of the options he wishes. Just as the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave Ka‘b radi Allahu anhu the choice in the expiation for harm (kafarat al-adha)—that is, shaving the head due to necessity or compulsion while in the state of ihram—because both kafarat al-yamin (expiation for oaths) and kafarat al-adha (expiation for harm) are similar in that they offer a choice. In fact, kafarat al-yamin has an additional aspect of sequence: in the expiation for oaths, there is a choice between feeding, clothing, and freeing a slave, and then, if none of these are possible, fasting for three days is to be done in sequence. Whereas in kafarat al-adha, there is a choice between fasting, feeding, and offering a sacrifice, and there is no prescribed sequence among them.
And Allah knows best.

(2)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has mentioned another explanation for citing this hadith. He states:
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah’s intent is to refute those who say:
It is permissible to feed five needy people and clothe five, or to clothe five and free half a slave.
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah’s position is that, according to the noble verse, this interpretation is incorrect; rather, one must either feed ten needy people, or clothe ten needy people, or free one slave.
If none of these three are possible, then fast for three days.
(Fath al-Bari: 11/725)

Hadith Commentary:

This also applies only in the case when it is possible; otherwise, under the noble verse: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity” (: al-Baqarah: 286), then repentance and seeking forgiveness will also suffice as expiation. However, when one has the ability, it is absolutely necessary to fulfill the legal ruling; otherwise, there will certainly be a deficiency in the Hajj.

Hafiz says: “That is, for every needy person from every kind of thing.” By this, he is indicating a refutation of those who differentiate in this matter between wheat and other things. Ibn Abd al-Barr said: Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and the Kufans say that it should be half a sa‘ (measure) of wheat and a full sa‘ of dates and other things. There is also a narration from Ahmad rahimahullah similar to their statement. Qadi ‘Iyad said: This hadith refutes them (Fath al-Bari).

And in the hadith of Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah, among its benefits, in addition to what has already been mentioned, is that the Sunnah clarifies what is general in the Book, for the fidyah (compensation) is mentioned in an unrestricted manner in the Qur’an, and the Sunnah restricts it. Also, it shows the prohibition of shaving the head for the muhrim (one in the state of ihram), and the concession for him to shave it if he is harmed by lice or other ailments. In it is also the gentleness of the leader with his companions, his care for their conditions, and his concern for them. If he sees harm affecting any of his followers, he inquires about it and guides him to the way out of it.

That is, for every needy person from every kind of thing; in this, the intent is to refute the one who has made a distinction in this matter between wheat and other things.

Ibn Abd al-Barr says that Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and the people of Kufa say that it should be half a sa‘ of wheat and a full sa‘ of dates. The statement of Imam Ahmad rahimahullah is also nearly similar to this. Qadi ‘Iyad said that the hadith of Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah refutes them, and among the benefits of this hadith is that the Sunnah of the Messenger clarifies the general rulings of the Qur’an. In the Noble Qur’an, fidyah is mentioned in an absolute sense, so the Sunnah restricted it. And from this hadith, it is also evident that shaving the head is forbidden for the muhrim, and when he is afflicted by lice or other ailments, then he may shave. And from this hadith, it is also clear that prominent people should always keep a watchful eye on their companions, caring for their hardships and pains. If someone falls ill or suffers from something, they should give him good advice for its remedy.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Some individuals have made a distinction between wheat and dates, stating that half a sa‘ of wheat and one sa‘ of dates should be given to each needy person, but the aforementioned hadith refutes this position. Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah writes that the purpose of this chapter heading and the presented hadith is to refute those who make a distinction regarding wheat and similar items in this matter. (Fath al-Bari: 22/4)

(2)
The aforementioned manner of expiation (fidya) applies when one is able to do so; otherwise, in a state of hardship, repentance and seeking forgiveness alone will suffice as expiation, because Allah does not burden anyone beyond his capacity. However, for one who is well-off, it is necessary to fulfill the legal ruling; otherwise, there will remain a deficiency in the Hajj.

(3)
It is also understood from this hadith that the Sunnah (hadith) explains the details of what is general in the Qur’an, because in the Noble Qur’an, only the absolute mention of expiation (fidya) is found, while the Sunnah, that is, the hadith, has specified it. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
The weight of one faraq of grain is three sa’ or sixteen ratl; this refutes those who claim that the weight of one sa’ is eight ratl.
As for the sacrificial animal, it should be whatever is easy—such as a goat—or any animal that can be easily obtained, offer it as sacrifice.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In the Noble Qur’an, there is mention of fasting in general terms and charity in general terms. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), in view of his prophetic office, explained its interpretation: that fasting is for three days and charity is feeding six needy people. Also, in the noble verse, the choice to perform any one of these acts is given to the person who also has the means for sacrifice; otherwise, the choice will only be between fasting and charity.
In the narration of Sahih Muslim, it is stated: “Feed three sa‘ (a measure) of dates to six needy people.”
(Sahih Muslim, al-Hajj, Hadith: 2882(1201))

(2)
This means that there are three sa‘ in one faraq, and faraq is the well-known measure of Madinah Tayyibah, in which there are sixteen ratl.
When there are three sa‘ in one faraq, as is explicitly stated in Sahih Muslim and others (Sahih Muslim, al-Hajj, Hadith: 2882(1201)), this necessitates that in one sa‘ there are 5 1/3, that is, 5.33 ratl. In this case, there can be sixteen ratl in one faraq. From this, it is known that there are not eight ratl in one sa‘, as is the opinion of the people of Kufa.
(Fath al-Bari: 4/21, 22)

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
From this hadith, it is understood that in a situation of necessity, a person in the state of ihram (ritual consecration) may shave his head, and then expiation (kafarah) becomes obligatory upon him, the details of which have been explained in the noble verse () and in the hadith. There is no disagreement about this.

(2)
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has written elsewhere that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah radi Allahu anhu the choice regarding the giving of fidyah (compensation). It is narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas radi Allahu anhu, ‘Ata’ and ‘Ikrimah that wherever the word "aw" (or) is used in the Noble Qur’an, it is for the purpose of "choice." Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah, in support of this, has also recorded a narration that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah radi Allahu anhu:

"If you wish, slaughter a sheep; if you wish, fast for three days; and if you wish, feed the needy." (Sunan Abi Dawud, Manasik, Hadith: 1857)

In a narration of Sahih al-Bukhari, Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah radi Allahu anhu says:

At the place of Hudaybiyyah, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam came to me while lice were falling from my head. He said:

"Are the lice causing you hardship?" I replied: Yes. He said:

"Shave your head." Thus, the aforementioned blessed verse was revealed concerning me. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam further said:

"Fast for three days, or distribute a sa‘ (measure) of grain among six needy people, or slaughter whatever sacrificial animal is available." (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Muhsar, Hadith: 1815)

Other narrations show that Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah radi Allahu anhu shaved his head and, as expiation, fasted for three days. Although in some narrations it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam chose feeding six needy people for him, its chain of transmission is not authentic. (Fath al-Bari: 4/21)

Hadith Footnote:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Qidar and Burmah:
Both mean a pot or kettle.

Hadith Gloss:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Hawam:
This is the plural of "hammah."
It refers to every poisonous thing, and its usage also extends to insects and creeping creatures.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: ➊
During the journey of Hudaybiyyah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) passed by Ka‘b bin ‘Ujrah (radi Allahu anhu) and saw that he was lighting a fire under a pot, and lice were falling from his head onto his face. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), without fully examining him while standing, asked him, “Are these lice causing you hardship?” Ka‘b (radi Allahu anhu) replied in the affirmative, so the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) told him to shave his head and to give whatever expiation (fidyah) was easily available to him.
After saying this, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) departed. Later, a companion mentioned the severity of Ka‘b’s (radi Allahu anhu) suffering, so the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent for him. Due to the intensity of his pain, he was brought while being carried. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) examined him closely and, seeing the severity of his suffering, said, “When I saw you earlier, I did not perceive your pain to be this severe.”
Then the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) immediately called for someone to shave his head and instructed him regarding the expiation (kafarah).
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had first given this ruling through hidden revelation (wahy khafi).
Later, in confirmation of this, manifest revelation (wahy jali) in the form of a Qur’anic verse was revealed.
However, in the Qur’an, the mention of expiation is in a general manner; its details and clarification are found in the hidden revelation (hadith).
From this, it is established that the Qur’an can be understood in the light of the hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
In the Qur’an, only fasting and charity are mentioned, but how many fasts should be kept and how much charity should be given is not detailed or clarified.
Similarly, the explanation of the sacrificial animal (nusuk) is not given.
The details and interpretation of these matters are found in the hadith.

➋
If a muhrim (one in the state of ihram) needs to shave his head due to some affliction of the head, then by consensus he may shave his head, but he must give expiation (fidyah): either fast for three days, or feed six needy people—providing each needy person with half a sa‘ of food—or offer a sacrifice of a goat.
According to the three Imams—Imam Malik (rahimahullah), Imam Shafi‘i (rahimahullah), and Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah)—and the hadith scholars (muhaddithin, rahimahumullah), half a sa‘ of any type of grain or produce must be given.
But according to Imam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah), half a sa‘ of wheat is to be given, while for other grains a full sa‘ must be given,
even though the hadith explicitly mentions three sa‘ of dates.
That is, half a sa‘ of dates should be given to each needy person, and the Imams agree that there is no required order between sacrifice, charity, and fasting: if one cannot offer a sacrifice, then he may fast; if he cannot fast, then he may give charity.
Rather, there is a choice—he may do whichever of the three he wishes.

Explanation:
1:
However, whoever among you is ill or has an ailment on his head (because of which he shaves his head), then he must offer a ransom,
either by fasting,
or by giving charity,
or by offering a sacrifice ().
2:
In another hadith, it is explicitly stated that he should feed three sa‘ (a measure) to six needy people, that is, half a sa‘ per needy person (of whatever food is commonly eaten there).

1856. Commentary:
➊ In the acts of Hajj, the compensatory sacrifice, charity, or fasting that is prescribed for certain shortcomings is called fidyah, meaning compensation or substitute.
➋ One sa‘ (sā‘) consists of four mudd. And one mudd is approximately 9 chhatank (local weight measure). Three sa‘ will be distributed among six needy persons, so each needy person will receive two mudd (18 chhatank). Thus, this is the calculation for fidyah.

1860. Commentary in Urdu: Al-Albani rahimahullah states that in this narration, the mention of zuheeb, that is, raisins, is munkar (rejected); the correct version is dates. Faraq is a vessel or basket that holds three sa’ (a measure).

(1) This incident pertains to the Battle of Hudaybiyyah. Since the intention was for ‘umrah, everyone had donned the ihram (state of consecration).

(2) It is understood that if, due to some hardship, a person in ihram (muhrim) is compelled to shave his head, then he must offer a fidyah (compensatory expiation), because shaving the head is contrary to the requirements of ihram. Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah radi Allahu anhu had his head shaved due to lice. The ruling regarding cupping (hijama) is different from this.

(3) “Whatever action you do”—this indicates that there is no prescribed order among them, whereas in some other expiations (kafarat), there is an order.

(4) The hadith clarifies the concise rulings of the Qur’an.

(1) "They increased" to the extent that they would fall upon the face.

(2) "He came"—this is an excellent example of his noble character.

(3) "Give it in charity"—that is, give half a sa‘ (approximately one and a quarter kilograms) of grain to each needy person. In other words, for each missed fast, grain should be given to two needy persons.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Shaving the head and cutting the hair is prohibited while in the state of ihram.

➋ If, due to some excuse, one is compelled to do something that is not permissible in the state of ihram, then expiation (fidyah) must be given.

➌ The fidyah is one goat. If this is not possible, then three fasts should be observed, or six needy people should be given half a sa‘ (half a measure) of grain each.

Hadith Authentication (Takhrij al-Hadith):
[وأخرجه ابوداود 1861، من حديث مالك به مختصراً ورواه البخاري 1815، ومسلم 1201، من حديث مجاهد عن عبدالرحمٰن بن ابي ليليٰ به]

Jurisprudential Explanation (Tafaqquh):
➊ One mudd is equal to a quarter of a sa‘.
➋ If, in the state of ihram, one is compelled to shave the head due to illness, then as expiation, three fasts must be observed, or six needy persons must be fed, or a goat must be slaughtered and distributed among the needy of the Haram.
➌ Shaving the head is permissible at all times except during ihram. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam saw a child whose head was partially shaved and partially left unshaven, so he said: «احلقوہ کله أو اترکوہ کله۔» Shave the whole head or leave it all. [سنن ابي داود : 4195 وسنده صحيح]
● This hadith is general for all people, but the exception for women is established from another authentic hadith, that shaving the head is prohibited for women. See [سنن ابي داود 1985، وسنده حسن وحسنه الحافظ ابن حجر رحمه الله فى التلخيص الحبير 2/261 ح1058]
➍ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu performed sacrifice in Madinah and had his head shaved, i.e., he had it shaved. [مصنف ابن ابي شيبه 237/3 ح13888، وسنده صحيح] Also see Monthly Al-Hadith Hazro: 27, p. 46

603 Lexical Explanation:
«حُمَلْتُ» is in the passive form, meaning "I was picked up and brought."
«الْقَمْلُ» — the letter "qaf" has a fatḥah (zabar) and the "mim" is sukun (sakin). These are small insects called lice.
«يَتَناثَرُ» — that is, due to their abundance, they were falling from my head onto my face, and Ka'b radi Allahu anhu was not killing them because he was in the state of ihram.
«مَا كُنْتُ أُرٰي», «أُرٰي» — the "hamzah" has a ḍammah (pesh). It is in the passive form, meaning "I did not think" or "I did not expect."
«الْوَجَعَ» — hardship.
«مَاأَرٰي» — the "hamzah" has a fatḥah (zabar). Derived from ru’yat basari (visual seeing), meaning "what I am seeing."
«أَتَجِدُ شَاة» — that is, seeing this condition of Ka'b radi Allahu anhu, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ordered him to shave his head, and as expiation (kaffarah), he was instructed to either slaughter a goat, fast for three days, or feed six needy people. Any one of these three actions could be performed, as the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave the choice.

Hadith Narrator:
Ka'b ibn 'Ujrah radi Allahu anhu — in "Ujrah," the letter "ayn" has a ḍammah (pesh) and the "jim" is sukun (sakin). He was a distinguished Companion belonging to the tribe of Bali, which was an ally of the Ansar. He had gone to Kufa. Eventually, he passed away in Madinah Tayyibah in 51 AH at the age of 75.