tahallul

Tahallul is the act of exiting the state of ihram in Islamic law, allowing pilgrims to resume many ordinary activities and the use of things that were prohibited while in ihram. It is usually achieved by a ritual haircut: men may shave the head (halq) or trim the hair (taqsir), while women typically cut a small portion of their hair. After tahallul, most restrictions of ihram are lifted, though some rules may still apply depending on the rite and school of law.

In Umrah, tahallul normally occurs after completing the rites of tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah). The haircut or trimming marks the end of the state of ihram, enabling the pilgrim to wear ordinary clothing and resume normal activities.

In Hajj, tahallul can occur in two stages: tahallul al-awwal (first release) after completing a portion of the rites, and tahallul al-thani (second release) after completing tawaf al-ifadah and sa’i, which completes the exit from ihram. The exact timing and terminology can vary among Islamic legal schools (madhahib).

The term tahallul derives from the Arabic taḥallala, meaning to become permissible again. As a central component of Hajj and Umrah, tahallul represents the transition from sacred rites back toward ordinary life within the framework of pilgrimage practices and their differing traditions.