I have done Umrah twice with my family. The first time was seven years ago, and the second time was last year. In both times I just shortened my hair, I did not shave it. As my father used to follow the fatwa that permits one to shorten his hair only, so both times we just shortened our hair from the back and sides, we did not even shorten all of it.
I have read in the answer number (10713) that if a person did that out of ignorance, then he should take off his regular clothing (and put on ihram) and shave his head completely or cut his hair. But thus I will have to shave my head twice, what shall I do if I want to make up the mistake? I have heard before that it is permissible to just shorten the hair in the fatawa of Hajj and Umrah.
Praise be to Allaah.
The one who does ‘umrah has to shave his head or cut some of
his hair, but shaving is better. He has to remove hair from all of his head
and it is not sufficient to remove hair only from part of the sides of the
head, according to the more correct opinion. This is the view of Maalik and
Ahmad. Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was of the view that it
is sufficient to remove hair from only one quarter of the head.
Al-Shaafa’i was of the view that the minimum that is
sufficient is three hairs, to be shaved or cut.
But all are agreed that it is better to shave the whole head
rather than cutting the hair, because Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): “having their (head) hair shaved and cut short” [al-Fath 48:27],
and the word head means the whole thing. And it is proven that the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) shaved all of his
head. See: al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (18/98).
The argument of the Maalikis and Hanbalis is that the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) shaved all of his head,
which explains what is meant by shaving.
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in
al-Mughni (3/196): He has to cut or shave all of his hair, and the same
(for cutting the hair) applies to women. This was stated by Imam Ahmad, and
it was also the view of Maalik. It was narrated from Ahmad that it is
sufficient to (cut or shave) some of it. al-Shaafa’i said: It is sufficient
for him to cut three hairs. Ibn al-Mundhir was of the view that it
sufficient for him to do what may be called cutting short. The fact that it
is obligatory to include all of the head is indicated by the words of Allaah
(interpretation of the meaning): “having their (head) hair shaved and cut
short” [al-Fath 48:27], which is general in meaning and implies all of
it. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) shaved
all of his head which explains what is meant by shaving. End quote.
It says in al-Taaj wa’l-Ikleel (a Maaliki book)
(4/181): Whoever shaves his head or cuts his hair, let him (shave or cut
hair from) all of his head; it is not sufficient for him to remove hair from
only part of it. End quote.
But if a person removed hair from only part of his head,
following the view of those who hold this opinion, then he does not have to
so anything now, because it is a matter that is subject to ijtihaad and the
scholars differed concerning it. Based on that, you do not have to enter
ihraam again and shave it or cut it again.
But if you do ‘Umrah or Hajj in the future, your cutting the
hair or shaving should include all of the head.
And Allaah knows best.
