The Prophet passed by him while he was at Al-Hudaibiyah, before entering Makkah, and he was a Muhrim. He had lit a fire under a cooking pot and lice were falling all over his face. So he (the Prophet) said: "Have these lice of yours troubled you?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Shave and feed six of the poor with a Faraq" and a Faraq is three Sa - "or fast three days, or slaughter a sacrifice." Ibn Abi Najih (one of the narrators) said: "Or slaughter a sheep."
Narrated by Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Laila narrated from Ka'b bin Ujrah that:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident at Al-Hudaibiyah where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encountered a man suffering from lice while in the state of Ihram. The Prophet ﷺ compassionately advised him to shave his head and provide for the needy, illustrating the balance between personal hardship and communal responsibility during Hajj.
Modern Application
In today's context, this hadith encourages individuals to address their personal challenges while also considering the welfare of others. Acts of charity, especially during significant times like Hajj, can foster a sense of community and support.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Charity and Hajj because it emphasizes the importance of helping others while participating in the pilgrimage.
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.
Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
This hadith is #955 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of The Book on Hajj. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Laila narrated from Ka'b bin Ujrah that:.