Sura 2:196 - cutting your hair during the Hajj

[theplains]

I had a question about this passage. From quran.com.

2:196 - "And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah . But if you are prevented, then [offer]
what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until
the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has
an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three
days] or charity or sacrifice"

Why are Muslims required to shave their heads during the Hajj but before the animal has
reached the place of slaughter? By shaving, is it meant that one goes bald or just a
quarter-inch of growth?

Peace,
Jim

 

[جوري]

[h=5]If the hair cut encompassed the whole head as understood from the question, then he has fulfilled the obligation [Waajib] and there is no harm on him if the hair cut was not even or not refined. What is important is that the hair cut should encompass the whole head and this is the Waajib [obligation] according to the Hanbali and Maaliki schools. However, the Shaafi'ee school are of the view that it is enough to cut or trim three hairs.
To conclude, you are not required to do anything (there is no harm on you) and we ask Allaah to accept your Hajj.
Allaah Knows best.
[/h]It is symbolic of completion of the ritual.