Hair Cutting for Women in Hajj and Umrah — Shaving Not Permissible

By: Imran Ayoob Lahori

Shaving Is Not for Women​

Women do not shave their heads after Hajj or ‘Umrah; they only trim a small portion of their hair.


Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:


ليس على النساء حلق إنما على النساء التقصير
“Shaving is not required for women; it is only trimming that is required for women.”


References: [Sahih Abu Dawood: 1747–1748; Darimi: 2/64; Daraqutni: 2/271; Bayhaqi: 5/104; Tabarani al-Kabir: 12/250]
Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) graded this hadith Hasan — [al-Majmu‘: 8/183]

Scholarly Consensus​

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) reported Ijma‘ (consensus) that women only trim their hair and do not shave it.


Reference: [Fath al-Bari: 4/390]


Recommended length: Women should cut approximately the length of a fingertip from their hair.
Reference: [al-Mughni: 5/310]

Partial Release from Ihram​

‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:


إذا رميتم وحلقتم فقد حل لكم الطيب وكل شيء إلا النساء
“When you have stoned (the Jamarat) and shaved your heads, perfume and all other things become lawful for you except women.”


References: [Sahih Abu Dawood: 1741; Ahmad: 12/186; Ibn Khuzaymah: 2937]


Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) also narrated similar wording.
References: [Ibn Majah: 3041; Nasai: 5/277; Ahmad: 1/344; Bayhaqi: 5/136]

Ruling Summary​

• Men: Shave (حلق) or shorten (تقصير) hair — shaving is more virtuous.
• Women: Only trim hair — no shaving under any circumstances.
• After stoning, trimming for women permits everything except marital relations, which become lawful only after Tawaf al-Ifadah.