Q 3: A man who wanted to perform Hajj shaved his beard on the 2nd of Dhul-Hijjah, as he did not know about the ruling on this. On the 5th, he began to perform the rites of Hajj. Is it permissible for him to offer a Fidyah (ransom) or not?

A: If he shaved his beard before assuming Ihram, he has disobeyed by shaving it and he should ask for Allah’s forgiveness and make Tawbah (repentance to Allah). He does not have to offer a Fidyah. However, it is obligatory on him to let his beard grow and not shave it again or cut it, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered that beards should be grown long and that moustaches should be trimmed.If he did it after assuming Ihram, he has disobeyed by shaving it and violated one of the prohibitions of the Ihram law. He is obligated by doing this, to slaughter a sheep that meets the conditions of Ud-hiyah (sacrificial animal offered by non-pilgrims) in Makkah, at any time. He should distribute the meat among the poor people in Makkah, without eating any of it. He could feed six needy people instead, by giving each of them half a Sa‘ (1 Sa‘ = 2.172 kg) of the food he usually eats or observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. If he shaved his beard forgetting that he was in Ihram when he did it or he was ignorant of the prohibition of doing so while in Ihram, he will not be required to pay a Fidyah. (Part No. 11; Page No. 178) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.