At Marwa, Umrah ends with cutting the hair. Men: full shave (halq, the most meritorious) or shortening all over the head (taqsir); barbers are available near Marwa. Women: cut about a fingertip (1 to 2 cm) from the end of the gathered hair, out of sight. You are then out of ihram: everything that was forbidden becomes permitted again.
Educational guide. If in doubt, ask your guide or a scholar.
Supplications
اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمِ الْمُحَلِّقِينَ
Allāhumma rḥami l-muḥalliqīn
O Allah, have mercy on those who shave (the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication, said three times, then once for those who shorten).
Bukhari 1727, Muslim 1301 (supplication for those who shave)
Common mistakes
- Cutting only three hairs: the whole head must be shortened.
- Cutting the hair before the end of the 7th lap.
- A woman shaving or cutting in public.
- Using a shared blade: insist on a new blade.
What if…
I want to do another Umrah later in the stay?
Shorten now (keep hair to cut); for a new Umrah, go out to the nearest miqat (Tanʿim) with the guide.
Bald?
Simply pass the razor over the head, according to many scholars; ask the guide.
Checklist
- ☐ Saʿi finished at Marwa
- ☐ Hair shaved or shortened (whole head)
- ☐ Women: about a fingertip, in private
- ☐ Out of ihram: usual clothes
Sources
- Bukhari 1727, Muslim 1301 (supplication for those who shave)
- Abu Dawud 1984-1985 (women do not shave)
All steps
- 1Forming your intention
- 2Documents and formalities
- 3Health and fitness
- 4The pilgrim’s suitcase
- 5The journey and arrival
- 6Ihram at the miqat or on board
- 7The talbiya
- 8Entering Makkah and the Sacred Mosque
- 9Tawaf: 7 circuits around the Kaaba
- 10Prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim and Zamzam water
- 11Saʿi: 7 laps between Safa and Marwa
- 12Halq or taqsir: leaving ihram
- 13Madinah: the Prophet’s Mosque and visits
- 14The return