Is shaving the head a characteristic of the Khawarij and considered a religious innovation (bid'ah)?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. This questioner says: I heard that shaving the head is a characteristic of the Khawarij, and that it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) other than in Hajj and 'Umrah. Is this correct?

Answer:
This talk, this is the bid'ah (religious innovation). Shaving the head is permissible (mubah), and growing it in the manner of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is a recommended practice (sunnah). As for shaving it, it is permissible (mubah). Before the Khawarij, people shaved, and after the Khawarij, people shave out of necessity, and there is no prohibition.