Prayer for Cutting Hair during Hajj, Complete Legal Status, Minimum Standards, and Time for Tahalul

Dream - Although there will be people to guide and assist, every pilgrim should know the prayer for cutting hair after completing the series of Hajj rituals. In Hajj terminology, the act of cutting a few strands of hair is called tahalul.

Although it may seem simple, tahalul is one of the last pillars of Hajj and Umrah, which is done by shaving the head. Those who neglect it are considered invalid in performing Hajj or Umrah.

After tahalul or cutting the hair, Hajj pilgrims are allowed to do things that were previously prohibited while in the state of ihram. On the other hand, pilgrims who have not performed tahalul are still in the state of ihram.

Sheikh Zakaria Al-Anshari in the book Asna Al-Muthalib stated, "There is no tahallul from Hajj and Umrah without removing the hair on the head, as with the other pillars."

Tahalul or cutting the hair during Hajj signifies the condition of Hajj pilgrims being permitted to do things that were previously prohibited during ihram. During tahalul, there is also a prayer that needs to be recited.

What is the prayer for cutting hair during Hajj or tahalul? Read the complete information below about the prayer for cutting hair during Hajj, complete with an explanation of the procedure for male and female pilgrims.

Legal Status of Tahalul

According to the strongest opinion in the Shafi'i school of thought, tahalul or cutting hair is part of the rites of Hajj and Umrah that cannot be left out. Tahalul cannot be replaced with ransom or penalty.

One hadith mentions that tahalul is part of the Hajj rituals: "Verily, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Every person in ihram who cuts their hair will receive light on the Day of Judgment from every strand of hair that is cut.'" (HR. Ibn Hibban)

Minimum Standards for Cutting Hair

Before discussing the prayer for cutting hair during Hajj, Dream friends also need to know the minimum standard for shaving the head. According to the majority of scholars, the minimum standard for cutting or removing hair is three strands. The method used can be shaving, cutting, plucking, burning, and so on.

Male pilgrims are preferred to perform al-halq or completely shave their heads. Meanwhile, for female pilgrims, it is recommended to perform al-taqshir or cut part of their hair. According to the consensus of scholars, it is not commanded for women to completely shave their heads.

According to the opinion of al-Ashah in the book Al-Majmu', it is disliked for female pilgrims to completely shave their heads.

Time for Tahalul

Due to its obligatory nature, tahalul must be carried out based on the appointed time. Cutting the hair must be done after midnight on the Day of Sacrifice (the night of the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah). If it is done earlier, it is considered sinful and a fidyah or ransom must be paid.

Sheikh Mustafa Al-Khin et al. in the book Al-Fiqh Al-Manhaji mentioned that the requirement for cutting hair is not to precede its appointed time, which is after midnight on the Day of Sacrifice. If a pilgrim cuts their hair before that time, they are sinful and must pay fidyah.

In the Shafi'i school of thought itself, there are two types of tahalul, namely tahalul kecil (small tahalul) and tahalul akbar (big tahalul). Tahalul kecil is performed if a person has fulfilled two out of three conditions, namely cutting the hair, throwing the jamarat al-aqabah, and performing tawaf ifadhah. After tahalul kecil, the pilgrim is allowed to use perfume, wear stitched clothing, and so on, except for having sexual intercourse with their spouse.

Meanwhile, tahalul akbar (big tahalul) is performed when the pilgrim has fulfilled all three conditions, namely cutting the hair, throwing the jamarat al-aqabah, and performing tawaf ifadhah. After that, the pilgrim is allowed to perform the prohibited actions of ihram, including having sexual intercourse with their spouse.

Prayer for Cutting Hair during Hajj

After knowing the above provisions, it is time for Dream friends to know the prayer for cutting hair during Hajj. Here is the prayer for cutting hair during Hajj that pilgrims need to recite when performing tahalul:

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى مَا أَنْعَمَنَا بِهِ عَلَيْهِ. اللَّهُمَّ هَذِهِ نَاشِيَتِي فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي وَاغْفِرْ ذُنُوبِي. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلَّقِينَ وَالْمَقْصُورِينَ يَا وَاسِعَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ. اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْ لِي بِكُلِّ شَرَّةٍ حَسَنَةٍ وَامْحُ عَنِّي بِهَا سَيِّئَةً. وَارْفَعْ لِي بِهَا عِنْدَكَ دَرَجَةً.

Meaning: "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. All praise is due to Allah for guiding us and all praise is due to Allah for what He has bestowed upon us." O Allah, this is my head, so accept from me (my deeds) and forgive my sins. O Allah, forgive those who shave and shorten their hair, O Lord whose forgiveness is vast. O Allah, establish for me every strand of hair in righteousness and erase for me every strand of hair in evil. And elevate my rank in Your presence."

This is the prayer recited when cutting hair during the Hajj pilgrimage, which is important to know. By reciting this prayer, the pilgrim once again seeks forgiveness so that all of their Hajj rituals are accepted by Allah, the Exalted.