you are commanded to do something, you must carry it out in its entirety and in every part. Accordingly, we say: if it is forbidden to shave the entire head, or enough of it to remove the harm, then it is forbidden to shave any part of it. However, the question of expiation is distinct from the question of prohibition.

If someone were to ask: Can any of the prohibited acts of consecration be forbidden without entailing an expiation?

The answer is: Yes. Contracting a marriage and proposing marriage are forbidden for one in a state of consecration, yet neither entails an expiation.

According to the view of some jurists, it is forbidden for a person in a state of consecration to remove lice from himself, yet no expiation is due for this.

The correct view, however, is that removing lice is not forbidden. Rather, the person in a state of consecration is permitted to do what is otherwise prohibited—namely, shaving the head—in order to remove the lice.

Thus, shaving the entire head is forbidden and entails an expiation; shaving part of it is forbidden but entails no expiation, unless he shaves an amount sufficient to remove the harm. This is the preponderant view.

The issue concerning the hair of the head therefore falls into three categories:

First: if he removes a few hairs, this is not considered shaving, and nothing is due from him.

Second: if he shaves part of the head due to an excuse, such as cupping, treating a wound, or the like, then he may shave as much as he needs, and nothing is due from him. Our evidence for this is the Prophet’s practice when he had himself cupped while in a state of consecration (1); it has not been reported that he offered an expiation.