Is it permissible to shave the head without a reason?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: What is the ruling on shaving the head without a reason? Is it imitating the Khawarij?

Answer:
There is nothing wrong with shaving it, and there is nothing wrong with leaving it. It is obligatory to shave it or shorten it during Hajj and 'Umrah. As for anything else, you are free to choose: if you wish, you may shave it, and if you wish, you may leave it. However, if he believes that shaving it is part of the religion and that he becomes one of the Khawarij if he believes that shaving it is permissible and there is no harm in it, then there is no blame on him. But if he believes that shaving it is part of the religion and that it is obligatory, he becomes one of the Khawarij.