A woman shaving her head

A: Shaving a woman's head hair is forbidden unless it is necessary. For instance, if she is unable to dress it, or it is infested with lice (especially when she is old or sick), or it is afflicted with sores or burns on the scalp. Thus, when keeping the hair will harm her and delay her recovery, it is permissible to shave or cut it short. (Part No. 4; Page No. 64)  Imam Ahmad was asked about a woman who is unable to anoint and dress her hair that is infected with lice, may she shave it? He answered: "If it is necessary. I hope there is nothing wrong with this."However, if there is no necessity, it will be forbidden for her to shave it. It is reported from Hammad ibn Salamah from Qatadah from `Aishah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade that a woman should shave her head. This is also the view maintained by scholars; they held that women should not shave their head hair but may cut it short, and that is only during Hajj and `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). This Hadith is narrated by Al-Tirmidhy in Al-Jami`-ul-Sahih, chapter on Hajj. It is also narrated by Al-Nasa'y in Al-Sunan (vol. 1, p. 9297) on the authority of `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.