Halq and Taqsir Roles for Men & Women

Performing Umrah is a great blessing of Allah SWT because, through this pilgrimage, Allah SWT calls a Muslim to his Great House, the Kaaba. Although performing Umrah is non-obligatory but having numerous blessings in it. By performing Umrah, Muslims come close to their creator and clear his body and soul clean from all filths. Muslims seek forgiveness from Allah SWT for their past sins and present themselves in front of the creator as a servant to obey his all command and to spend their life in accordance with the practices of our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW. Many tour organizers are providing different umrah packages, such as September Umrah Packages to facilitate the pilgrims to their best. 

There are many rituals of Umrah, and Halq and Taqsir are one of them, which are compulsory in both Umrah and Hajj for each Muslim. These two terms are used for the cutting of hair, which is the last ritual. After performing this ritual, pilgrims are free to come out from the state of Ihram. Here in this article, we will discuss some significant elements of Haql and Taqsir of Umah and Hajj. There is a basic difference between these two terms, explained below.

Halq:

Halq means the act of complete shaving of the head after the Umrah. This act is for the male pilgrims who completely shave their heads and exit the state of Ihram. 

Taqsir:

This term means trimming hair or cutting a short length of hair. This act is for the female pilgrims, which can cut a short length of hair to complete this ritual, and after that, they can come out of the state of Ihram. The minimum length is suggested, as the length of their figure tip.

Significant of Halq and Taqsir:

In Umrah or Hajj, each ritual has its immense value and spiritual virtues, the same is the case here in the ritual of Haq or Taqsir. Muslims follow the practices of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW, so performing these rituals is like following the great sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW to complete the Umrah or Hajj. There are many hadiths that reflect the importance of this act. According to great scholar Ismail Ibn Kathier, in a dream, the Holly prophet SAW saw himself in Makah performing Tawaf, he narrated that his companions had a dream while sitting in Medina that some of them are shaven heads and some of them have shorten their hairs. Through this hadith, it is clear that Halq and Taqsir are the great sunnah of our Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.

On the other hand, having an attractive face and hair makes a person’s personality charming. Cutting his or her hair, which is very closed to them, reflects the intention of pilgrims that his body and soul belong to Allah SWT and there is nothing more important than the greatness of Allah almighty and his messenger Muhammad SAW.

Method of Performing Halq and Taqsir:

• There are few things that must keep in knowledge while performing the Halq or Taqsir to execute this ritual according to the true spirit and great Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.
• All pilgrims must face Qibla while performing the Halq or Taqsir and must start cutting or shaving from the right side.
• Female pilgrims need not perform Halq. They can perform Taqsir only.
• Complete shaving is compulsory while performing Halq, and partial or inappropriate shaving is prohibited.
• It is considered better to perform halq yourself, but one can take the help of a barber.
• Women must take care of the vial and choose a separate place while cutting their hair.