I went to perform the obligatory Hajj and intended to perform it as Ifrad, and after Sa'i I shortened my hair out of ignorance. What is the ruling in the Shari'ah?

The questioner:
I went to perform the obligatory Hajj last year, and I intended to perform Hajj as Ifrad. After Sa'i, I shortened my hair due to lack of knowledge. What is the ruling in the Shari'ah regarding what I did?

The Shaykh:
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his Companions, and his community. As for what follows, it is known that a Muslim is not permitted to exit the state of ihram, or to complete any part of his actions, or to do any of the prohibited acts of ihram, except after he performs the rites of Hajj on the Day of Sacrifice. This applies to the one in ihram, and likewise to the one performing Qiran.
Allah the Exalted said: . This is regarding the covenant of the sacrificial animal, and he was performing Qiran. And the one performing Ifrad is even more so. So what happened to the questioner, that he cut some of the hair on his head, and did not intend to convert his Hajj to 'Umrah, but rather continued with the intention of Ifrad, this is considered an error on his part, and an act of one of the prohibitions of Ifrad, but he is excused due to ignorance. And that he did not do it intentionally, according to the two authentic collections.

The presenter:
Absolutely.

The Shaykh:
And if he wants to expiate by feeding six poor people a mudd of food, or by slaughtering a sheep, seasoning it, and distributing it to the poor, or by fasting for three days, then this is the safest course and the most freeing of the soul.

The presenter:
What Allah willed.

The Shaykh:
Because he is doing something extra, as Allah the Exalted said: . This is for the one who shaves his hair while in ihram intentionally, and that is for a valid legal excuse, such as having an illness in his head or lice, as that is the reason for the existence of the verse,

The presenter:
Yes, yes.

The Shaykh:
or if he did it out of ignorance, then he is the one who is safest.

The presenter:
You answered regarding feeding, half a kilo of food. How much is the kilo portion of food?

The Shaykh:
The Prophetic measure.

The presenter:
And.

The Shaykh:
The known sa'. And the feeding is in itself.

The presenter:
It is to be distributed to the poor of Makkah.

The Shaykh:
Yes, and the slaughter is in itself, whereas the fasting can be done anywhere.

The presenter:
May Allah bless you.

The Shaykh:
And this is from the category of precaution.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.