The meaning of the first and second Phase of removing the Ihram

Question

What is meant by the terms the first removal of Ihram and the second removal of Ihram?


Answer


What is meant by the term the first removal of Ihram is when a person does two of three acts, by either stoning and shaving his hair or cutting it, or stoning and making Tawaf, or making Tawaf and shaving his hair or cutting it. This is the first removal of Ihram. If the person does all three acts: stoning, Tawaf, and shaving the hair or cutting it, this is the second of Ihram.

If the person only does two, he may wear a seamed garment, apply perfume and everything that was unlawful for him becomes lawful for him, except sexual intercourse. Then, when he does the third thing and completes whatever remained due upon him, it becomes lawful for him to have sex. Some of the scholars went with the view that when the person stones the pillar on the day of the 'Eid, the first removal of Ihram is correct for him, and this is a good view. If the person does it, there is no sin upon him, if Allah wills. However, the best and safest view is that he should not make haste (to remove Ihram) until he does a second act along with stoning after it, such as shaving the head or shortening it, or adding to it (the stoning) the Tawaf. This is due to a Hadith of 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) even though there is some doubt about its chain of narration (i.e., its authenticity), that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"When you have stoned and shaved your heads, indeed perfume and everything else is permissible for you, except women (i.e., for sex). (Ahmad 6:143)

This is also due to other Hadiths that have been related regarding this issue. It is also because after the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) stoned the pillar on the day of the 'Eid, slaughtered his animal and shaved his head, 'A'ishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) applied perfume to him. The apparent meaning of the text is that he did not apply perfume until after he had stoned the pillar, slaughtered and shaved his head. Therefore, it is better and safer that the person does not remove Ihram for the first removal of Ihram until after he has stoned the pillar and shaved his head or shortened his hair.

Also, if it is easy, the person may sacrifice the animal after stoning the pillar and before shaving his head. That is better and it contains a combining of understanding between the Hadiths.


Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 4 Pages 171-172