Shaving the head is better than shortening the hair

Question: Which is better, shaving or shortening the hair after performing the rites of 'Umrah and Hajj? And is it permissible to shorten only part of the head?


Answer: Shaving is better in both 'Umrah and Hajj; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated for the shavers three times with forgiveness and mercy, and for the shorteners once. So shaving is better. However, if the 'Umrah is close to the Hajj, then shortening is better in the 'Umrah so that shaving is available for the Hajj; because Hajj is more complete than 'Umrah, so the more complete act is reserved for the more complete act. But if the 'Umrah is far from the Hajj, for example in Shawwal, and the hair on the head can grow long, then he should shave so that he obtains the virtue of shaving.
It is not permissible to shorten part of the head or shave part of it, according to the most correct of the two opinions of the scholars. Rather, it is obligatory to shave the entire head or shorten the entire head. And it is better to start with the right side when shaving or shortening.