What does « To shave / Throat » mean in the Quran?
Discover the meaning of the word To shave / Throat (حلق) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.
حلق
To shave / Throat
Root: ح - ل - ق
Creed (aqida) 3 verses
Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM
📖 2 min read
Definition of To shave / Throat
Al-halq: the known limb (throat).
Halaqahu: he cut his throat.
Then halq became cutting hair.
Allah says: 'And do not shave (lâ tahliqû) your heads' (Al-Baqara: 196).
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].
Surah Al-Waqi'a : 83 Meccan
﴿فَلَوْلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلْحُلْقُومَ﴾
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat