After completing Sa’i, a woman should shorten her hair rather than shave it. A commonly recommended amount is approximately a fingertip’s length from the ends of the hair, which is around 2 cm.
Hair cutting is the final step that allows a woman to complete her Umrah and leave the state of Ihram. UK Islamic Relief guidance likewise states that women complete Taqsir by cutting approximately a fingertip’s length.
When Should a Woman Cut Her Hair?
A woman cuts her hair after completing Tawaf and Sa’i.
The normal order of Umrah is:
- Enter Ihram
- Perform Tawaf
- Perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwa
- Shorten the hair
Once the required hair cutting is completed, the restrictions of Ihram are lifted.
If you are unsure what comes before this stage, our Safa Marwa dua guide explains how Sa’i is performed and how the seven rounds are counted.
How Much Hair Should She Cut?
A simple practical guideline is to cut around a fingertip’s length from the ends, roughly 2 cm.
Scholarly guidance notes that no exact amount is specified in the texts, although a fingertip’s length is commonly recommended.
The important point is that women shorten their hair; they do not shave their heads as men may do after Umrah.
Should She Cut Hair From Just One Section?
There is some scholarly difference over the minimum amount that is sufficient.
A careful approach is to gather the hair together and trim a small amount from the ends throughout, rather than cutting only one tiny strand.
If the hair is braided, a small amount can be trimmed from the end of each braid. Guidance based on the Maliki and Hanbali position recommends shortening from all the hair.
If you follow a particular madhhab, you may wish to confirm the precise requirement with a trusted scholar.
Can a Woman Cut Her Own Hair?
Yes.
A woman may cut her own hair after completing Sa’i. She does not need to visit a salon or have another person do it for her.
It is also permissible for another person to help her trim it.
Many women carry a small pair of suitable scissors in their luggage so they can complete Taqsir privately after Sa’i.
If you are preparing for the journey, our Umrah packing guide from the UK covers other useful items to bring.
Where Should a Woman Cut Her Hair?
She does not need to cut her hair inside Masjid al-Haram.
It may be easier and more private to return to the hotel and trim it there, provided she remembers that she remains in Ihram until the hair has been shortened.
So she should continue observing the restrictions of Ihram until Taqsir is complete.
What If She Forgot to Cut Her Hair?
If a woman completes Tawaf and Sa’i but forgets to shorten her hair, she should correct the mistake when she remembers.
Do not assume that the Umrah has automatically become invalid. Hair cutting is treated as an important duty in completing Umrah, and specific circumstances may require scholarly advice.
Our guide on what happens if you forget a step of Umrah covers this type of situation in more detail.
Planning Your Umrah With Hajj Umrah Travels?
Understanding small practical details before travelling can prevent unnecessary confusion during the pilgrimage, especially for women performing Umrah for the first time.
For a complete female-specific overview, read our Umrah guide for ladies. If you need help arranging flights, hotels and your Umrah package from the UK, contact Hajj Umrah Travels and our team can help organize your journey.
