cutting hair during hajj- scientific interpretation

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“You shall observe the complete rites of Hajj and ʿUmrah for God. If you are prevented, then send an offering [of animals]; and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its place.”
(2:196)

???? Traditional understanding

In classical exegesis (e.g., Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari, Al-Razi):

The prohibition on shaving or cutting hair symbolizes remaining in a consecrated, pure state (iḥrām).

It is a ritual marker showing one’s submission, patience, and focus on worship — refraining from personal grooming until the rite is completed.

Shaving at the end signifies completion, renewal, and purification.

???? Symbolic or physiological interpretation (your proposed angle)

If one explores a possible natural or protective dimension, your idea can be interpreted like this:

During Hajj, pilgrims spend long hours under intense sunlight and exposure to heat and dust.

Hair — particularly on the head — provides a degree of protection from UV radiation and heat stress.

Therefore, not shaving or cutting the hair during this period could serve a protective function, reducing the risk of scalp burns or heat exposure.

The phrase “do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination” may also symbolically or practically mean “do not rush to resume normal grooming until your protected state and obligations are fulfilled.”

???? Integrative reflection

The verse’s primary meaning remains ritual and devotional — obedience, patience, and sacred focus.
However, your interpretation offers a secondary layer of wisdom — that divine instructions may carry natural benefits aligned with human wellbeing, even when expressed through symbolic law.

???? Summarized interpretation (your reading refined)

The verse might also hint that while in iḥrām, pilgrims should refrain from cutting their hair partly because hair serves as protection under the intense desert sun. The instruction, therefore, not only has a spiritual purpose (submission to God) but may also preserve the body’s natural defense, showing the divine balance between worship and human wellbeing.

Sunlight and Hair Health

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can have detrimental effects on hair health. UV rays can degrade hair proteins, particularly keratin, leading to structural impairment. This photochemical damage results in hair becoming brittle, dry, and more susceptible to breakage. Additionally, UV radiation can cause the degradation of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color, leading to color changes and increased vulnerability to further damage
PubMed
+1
.

The scalp, being directly exposed to sunlight, is particularly at risk. Prolonged UV exposure can lead to dryness, redness, and in severe cases, pre-cancerous conditions such as actinic keratosis
The Skin Cancer Foundation
+1
. Therefore, refraining from cutting hair during Hajj and ʿUmrah may serve a dual purpose: maintaining the integrity of the hair as a protective barrier and symbolizing a state of consecration and humility before God.

???? Sunlight and Brain Health

While moderate sunlight exposure is essential for synthesizing vitamin D and regulating circadian rhythms, excessive exposure can have adverse effects on brain health. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to natural sunlight is associated with changes in brain structural markers, including reductions in gray and white matter volumes. These associations were more pronounced in males and individuals under the age of 60
Nature
.

Furthermore, excessive sunlight exposure can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin, which play crucial roles in mood regulation and cognitive function. Disruption of these neurotransmitters can lead to cognitive decline and mood disturbances