The virtue of shaving

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed: "O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and those who shorten their hair?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads," and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said this three times. The Companions again said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and those who shorten their hair?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And forgive those who shorten their hair as well."

Wahb bin Abdullah narrates from his father, who said: I was with my father, and I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gesturing with his hand as he prayed: "O Allah, have mercy on those who shave their heads." A man said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and on those who shorten their hair?" The third time, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And on those who shorten their hair as well."

Something similar is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed thus: "O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads," and he said this three times. The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), why has mercy been expressed for those who shave their heads?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Because they did not doubt."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah have mercy on those who shave their heads." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and on those who shorten their hair too?" The third time, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And have mercy on those who shorten their hair as well."

Yahya bin al-Husayn narrates from his grandmother (may Allah be pleased with her) that she heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), during the Farewell Hajj, pray three times for those who shave their heads and once for those who shorten their hair.

Waki' did not say "during the Farewell Hajj".

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hubshi bin Junadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed: "O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and those who shorten their hair too?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and those who shorten their hair too?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Forgive those who shorten their hair as well."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Malik bin Rabi'ah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed: "O Allah, forgive those who shave their heads." The Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and those who shorten their hair too?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And forgive those who shorten their hair as well." The narrator says: That day my head was shaved, and because of this prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) I felt greater joy than if I had been given red camels, or a great many camels.