He is bald and the sun harms him – can he cover his head whilst in ihram?
Question: 26724
I want to do Hajj in sha Allah. My problem is this: I am a bald man, with no hair on my head, and my skin is very sensitive. Any ray of sunlight affects my health and causes a severe rash on my scalp, and it makes the veins stand out on my head in general and on my face in particular. As you know, one of the things that is forbidden in ihram is covering the head. I hope you can advise me in this case, knowing that I am a short man, and I cannot carry a parasol or umbrella, because it will disturb the people around me. May Allah take care of you and guide you.
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.
If the matter is as you describe, then you may cover your head whilst you are in ihram, and expiate for that by sacrificing a sheep and giving it to the poor in Makkah, or by feeding six poor persons in the sanctuary, giving each one half a saa’ of dates or some other staple food, or you may fast for three days.
This applies to ihram for Hajj. Similarly, if you enter ihram for ‘Umrah you must offer another expiation.
And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Source:
Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, Fataawa al-Lajnah, 11/181
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