Is it obligatory for one who enters Islam to shave his hair? And is it prescribed for him to shave his head?
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The questioner : Is it obligatory for the one who enters Islam, and is it prescribed for him to shave his head?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is obligatory for the one who enters Islam to shave his hair and to perform the full ritual bath so that he may begin his prayer in a state of complete ritual purity. There is scholarly disagreement regarding the command to remove hair mentioned in some authentic hadiths. Some scholars say that the hair referred to in the hadith is the pubic hair, while others broaden the command, saying that removing the pubic hair is a fortiori obligation, but that shaving the hair of the head is also included in the general text. This is a sign of this person's humility and the display of his servitude anew after he was a disbeliever in Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Thus, his entry into Islam requires him to also remove the hair of his head in submission to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). This is most similar to what is prescribed for the one in the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah. It is known to you that shaving is prescribed for them, and it is the preferred option, while shortening the hair is permissible. This is what is prescribed.
Some of the Sufi orders or the shaykhs of the orders transferred this ruling to their orders, thereby innovating in Islam something that has no basis in it. When a Muslim joins their order and takes the title of murid (seeker), they make it obligatory for him to submit to this order by shaving the hair of his head. This is, of course, a religious innovation and legislating what Allah has not sent down with authority.
As for shaving the head in the rites of pilgrimage, this is an act of servitude to Allah. The Wise Lawgiver commanded the disbeliever who has embraced Islam to complete the beginning of his servitude with this shaving, which is the symbol of submission and servitude to Allah alone, who has no partner.
Another questioner : And what about circumcision?
The Shaykh : And circumcision is necessary.
Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is obligatory for the one who enters Islam to shave his hair and to perform the full ritual bath so that he may begin his prayer in a state of complete ritual purity. There is scholarly disagreement regarding the command to remove hair mentioned in some authentic hadiths. Some scholars say that the hair referred to in the hadith is the pubic hair, while others broaden the command, saying that removing the pubic hair is a fortiori obligation, but that shaving the hair of the head is also included in the general text. This is a sign of this person's humility and the display of his servitude anew after he was a disbeliever in Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Thus, his entry into Islam requires him to also remove the hair of his head in submission to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). This is most similar to what is prescribed for the one in the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah. It is known to you that shaving is prescribed for them, and it is the preferred option, while shortening the hair is permissible. This is what is prescribed.
Some of the Sufi orders or the shaykhs of the orders transferred this ruling to their orders, thereby innovating in Islam something that has no basis in it. When a Muslim joins their order and takes the title of murid (seeker), they make it obligatory for him to submit to this order by shaving the hair of his head. This is, of course, a religious innovation and legislating what Allah has not sent down with authority.
As for shaving the head in the rites of pilgrimage, this is an act of servitude to Allah. The Wise Lawgiver commanded the disbeliever who has embraced Islam to complete the beginning of his servitude with this shaving, which is the symbol of submission and servitude to Allah alone, who has no partner.
Another questioner : And what about circumcision?
The Shaykh : And circumcision is necessary.
Yes.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.