The Ruling on Qa' and Shaving Part of the Head

Question:
And may Allah send blessings upon you, Honorable Shaykh, Honorable Shaykh. This statement asks: When is qa' disliked? When is it forbidden? And does shortening part of the head and leaving the rest constitute qa'?

Answer:
Qa' is forbidden, not merely disliked. This is because of imitating the disbelievers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Qa' is shaving part of the head and leaving part of it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) [commanded] to shave it all or leave it all. As for shaving some and leaving some, that is what the Christians do, so it is not permissible to imitate them. If he shortens some and leaves some, this is like shaving. Yes.