Second: those for which the expiation is a camel.

Third: those for which the expiation is an equivalent.

Fourth: those for which the expiation is a choice between these three matters: fasting, feeding the poor, and sacrifice. This applies to most of the prohibitions of consecration.

Question: It is not forbidden for a person in consecration to scratch his head, unless he scratches it in order to make the hair fall out, in which case it is forbidden. But if he scratches it because of an itch and some hair falls out unintentionally, that does not harm him. Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, was told: “Some people say that one should not scratch one’s head.” She replied, “If I were unable to scratch it with my hand, I would scratch it with my foot.” (1) This was her way, may Allah be pleased with her, of strongly emphasizing its permissibility. I have seen many pilgrims who, when they wish to scratch their heads, tap their heads with a finger out of fear that some hair may fall out. This is undue strictness.

Whoever covers his head with something in direct contact with it must offer an expiation . . . . . . . . . . .

His statement, “Whoever covers his head with something in direct contact with it must offer an expiation”: this is the third prohibition.

“Whoever” is a conditional noun governing the jussive; “covers” is the verb of the condition, and “must offer an expiation” is its consequence.

Although “whoever” here is a general conditional expression, what is meant specifically is the person in consecration, as indicated by the context.

His statement, “with something in direct contact with it,” includes such things as a skullcap, a headcloth, a turban, and the like.

The evidence for this is that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said concerning the man whose mount broke his neck at Arafah: “Do not cover his head.” (2) That is, do not cover it. This is general and includes every type of covering.