Ruling on exiting the state of ihram by shortening part of the hair on the head

This message is from Riyadh and also concerns Hajj, from Muhammad Awadh al-Masmari and his family. He says: I came to Makkah as a pilgrim performing tamattu', and after we finished sa'y, we shortened our hair from one side of the head only, and we put on our clothes. After three days, while we were in Makkah, we spoke with another group about exiting the state of ihram by shortening part of the hair on the head, and it was said: it is not permissible. What is the ruling on our exiting the state of ihram? Do we owe anything? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
Answer: Some scholars have held that shortening part of the hair on the head is sufficient. It was said: a quarter of it, and it was said: whatever is called shortening. What has passed, may Allah forgive it, if Allah wills, and it is sufficient. However, in the future, one should generalize the shortening just as one generalizes the shaving, so it is not befitting to restrict it to part of the head, but rather it should be generalized. This is the preferred opinion: that it is befitting to generalize the head with shortening just as it is generalized with shaving. This is the obligatory thing, and this is the stronger position. And what has passed, may Allah forgive it, and he owes nothing.