Must Fallen Hair Be Buried After Reciting the Shahada in the Shafi’i School?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr
Question
Must Fallen Hair Be Buried After Reciting the Shahada in the Shafi’i School?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Thank you for reaching out and seeking clarification on this important matter.
It is recommended (mustahabb) to bury fallen hair, although this is not obligatory. This is out of respect for human dignity and to spare others the distress of seeing it. I have not come across any texts that mention reciting the shahada when burying hair or nails. Imam al-Nawawi states, “It is recommended to bury what is taken from these hairs and nails and to cover it in the earth. This was reported from Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him and his father), and our scholars agree on it.” [Nawawi, al-Majmuʿ]
One should strive to observe these etiquettes out of respect for the human body, which Allah has honored. May Allah grant us the ability to uphold the beautiful teachings of our way of life (din). I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
And Allah knows best.
Muhammad Carr
Related Answers
One. How Should a Muslim Dispose Cut Off Hair and Nails? — Shaykh Faraz Rabbani: The scholars generally agree it is recommended to bury anything separated from a living person, such as a limb, hair, or nails, because Allah has honored the children of Adam.
Two. Should We Bury Our Hair and Nails After Removal? — Shaykh Jamir Meah: Out of the honor given to the human being, it is recommended to bury removed hair, nails, and other body parts, citing Shafiʿi works.
Three. Is It Impermissible to Preserve the Hair of the Deceased? — Mawlana Ilyas Patel: Keeping a deceased parent’s hair is not impermissible in itself, but it is best to bury it with all separated human parts.
Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefited from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali, and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door for students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life. In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari’ah Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.
