If a person performs 'Umrah and does not shorten his hair or shave it, whether out of ignorance or forgetfulness, is his 'Umrah valid or not? And if it is not valid, what is required of him?
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The questioner : He asks: If a person performs 'Umrah and does not shorten his hair or shave it, whether out of ignorance or forgetfulness, is his 'Umrah valid or not? And if it is not valid, what is required of him to do?
The Shaykh : The 'Umrah is valid even if he does not shave or shorten his hair.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is because shaving or shortening the hair is not among the pillars of 'Umrah, but rather among its obligatory acts. If a person leaves it off out of forgetfulness, he should shave as soon as he remembers, unless the time has passed, in which case he must slaughter a fidyah (ransom payment) and give it in charity to the poor. If he leaves it off out of ignorance and then learns the ruling, he should shave, unless the time has passed, in which case he must slaughter a fidyah (ransom payment) and give it in charity to the poor.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He bears no sin in this situation as long as he is forgetful or ignorant.
The questioner : Is the fidyah (ransom payment) necessary?
The Shaykh : The fidyah (ransom payment) is necessary if it is not possible to make up for the missed act.
The questioner : Yes. And is it for the poor of the free people?
The Shaykh : It is to be given to the poor of the Haram (sacred precinct).
The Shaykh : The 'Umrah is valid even if he does not shave or shorten his hair.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is because shaving or shortening the hair is not among the pillars of 'Umrah, but rather among its obligatory acts. If a person leaves it off out of forgetfulness, he should shave as soon as he remembers, unless the time has passed, in which case he must slaughter a fidyah (ransom payment) and give it in charity to the poor. If he leaves it off out of ignorance and then learns the ruling, he should shave, unless the time has passed, in which case he must slaughter a fidyah (ransom payment) and give it in charity to the poor.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He bears no sin in this situation as long as he is forgetful or ignorant.
The questioner : Is the fidyah (ransom payment) necessary?
The Shaykh : The fidyah (ransom payment) is necessary if it is not possible to make up for the missed act.
The questioner : Yes. And is it for the poor of the free people?
The Shaykh : It is to be given to the poor of the Haram (sacred precinct).