[Q 447] Ruling on Shaving or Trimming Neck Hair, Cleaning the Back of the Neck in Islam, Neck Hair Removal Without Shaving Head

QUESTION:

Salam, what is the ruling on removing hair (trimming or shaving) from the neck without removing hair from the lower side of the head (where the hair naturally grows), so only removing hair from the neck?

ANSWER:

To shave the hair of the back of the neck (qufā) while keeping the rest of the head hair intact is Makrooh (disliked) without necessity.
However, if there is a need, such as for medical treatment, or if the head hair is shaved off entirely, then it is permissible to also remove the neck hair.

Imam Ahl al-Sunnah رحمہ الله تعالی said:
“If by cleaning the neck one means shaving the back of the head (qufā) as some ignorant people do today, then this is only permissible for the necessity of cupping (bloodletting). Without need, it is Makrooh.”
He writes further, quoting al-Hindiyyah from al-Yanabi‘ from Imam al-A‘zam Abu Hanifah رضي الله تعالى عنه:
یکرہ ان یحلق کفاہ الا عند الحجامۃ
“It is Makrooh to shave the back of the head except when required for cupping.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 22, p. 595)

Mufti Amjad Ali A‘zami رحمہ الله تعالی states:
“To shave the hair of the neck is Makrooh. That is, when the head hair is not shaved and only the neck hair is shaved, as many people do when making a hairline. But if the entire head is shaved, then the neck hair may also be shaved along with it.”

(Bahar-e-Shari‘at, Part 16, p. 587, Maktaba tul Madinah)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 6th September 2025