Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I have made the intention to go for ‘Umrah and my question is in regards to one of the required acts of ‘Umrah for men that is to trim hair or shave the head. I suffer from alopecia which means I have no hair on my head. In this case what should I do to complete all the obligatory acts of ‘Umrah?
Answer:
Thank you for your question.
May the Almighty bless your intentions and grant you a successful ‘Umrah pilgrimage.
Trimming or shaving the hair in ‘Umrah and Ḥajj is a wajib (necessary) act to get out of the ritual state of iḥrām. However in your case you have no hair what so ever, therefore the predominate view of Islamic jurists is that you will simply pass the hair-cutting machine or tool over majority of your head. This is wājib [necessary] according to the Ḥanafī school, and mustaḥab [recommended] according to the Shāfi’e, Mālikī and Ḥanbalī schools. (Mawsū’ah al-Fiqhiyyah)
It must be noted, that if you have few patches of hair on your head then you must trim or shave that hair.
If someone has a medical condition due to which hair cannot be cut, one must then, in compensation give charity and or have an animal sacrificed and distributed to the poor. (See: Qur’ān 2:196)
And Allāh Knows Best
