Falling of Hair Due to Itching in Ihrām: Is Dam (Penalty) Required?
Source: Qur’ān wa Ḥadīth kī Roshni Mein Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Vol. 1
Question
If, while in the state of iḥrām, a person scratches his head and some hairs fall out, is dam (sacrificial penalty) required? Please clarify in the light of Qur’an and ḥadīth.
✔ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
- If, in the state of iḥrām, hairs fall out during itching without intention, i.e. they are not plucked deliberately, then no fidyah (dam) is required.
- This is because such hairs fall naturally or unintentionally, and the Sharīʿah has not imposed any penalty in such a case.
Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
It is authentically established that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed ghusl while in iḥrām, and rubbed his head during washing.
Naturally, rubbing the head, especially during bathing, may cause a few hairs to fall. Yet this was not considered impermissible.
Ḥadīth Evidence
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Ḥadīth no. 1840):
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (RA) and Miswar ibn Makhramah (RA) differed regarding washing the head in iḥrām.
- Ibn ʿAbbās (RA) said it is permissible.
- Miswar (RA) disagreed.
When the matter was referred to Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī (RA), he poured water on his head and rubbed it back and forth, then said:
"The Prophet ﷺ did the same."
Conclusion
Thus, if a person in iḥrām scratches his head and some hairs fall unintentionally, no dam or fidyah is required.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
"This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct."
