I would like to know whether all sins (including kabira/major sins) will be forgived after the Haj? 2. Can we (women) cut our hair just to remove split ends?

If a person performs his Hajj correctly, then all his sins are forgiven. There is a difference of opinion among the Ulama as to whether this incudes the major sins.

Some say that the major sins are also forgiven. Others say that the major sins are only forgiven by Tawbah, i.e. sincerely repenting from those sins. The way to reconcile these two views is that it is only befitting of a true Haaji that he will, during his Hajj, make sincere Tawbah from all sins. Thus, in this way, a person who performs his Hajj correctly, which includes Tawbah, will have his major sins forgiven as well.

By having his major sins forgiven does not mean that his duties fall away. If he did not perform Salaat, then he will still have to make Qadhaa of them. Similarly, he will have to make Qadhaa for many missed fasts, and has to fulfil any outstanding Zakaat. If he is permanently unable to fulfil the Salaat or fasts, then he should make a bequest that his heirs should pay the Fidya (monetary compensation) for all outstanding Salaats and fasts.

In the same light, if an old person performs Hajj correctly, which includes Tawbah, then all his sins are forgiven. He will, Insha Allah, be eligible to enter Jannah. This is provided that he makes a genuine effort to fulfil all outstanding duties such as Salaat, Sawm (fasting), Zakaat, etc. As far as the rights of others are concerned, these will only be forgiven if either one fulfils their rights or he obtains their forgiveness.

2. Women may cut their hair to remove split ends.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.