What is the ruling on one who shaves the hair growing next to the ear – the 'adhār (sideburns) – during iḥrām out of ignorance? And does he owe expiation for each hair, or is it sufficient for him to feed six needy persons?

If a pilgrim in a state of ihram shaves his head mistakenly before the designated time for shaving, there is no fidyah (expiatory sacrifice) upon him, according to many jurists, based on the words of Allah Almighty: "And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred, but [only for] what your hearts have intended."

However, if he shaves three hairs or more, one fidyah becomes obligatory upon him, for which he has the choice of fasting three days, or sacrificing a sheep, or feeding six needy persons. But if he shaves less than three hairs, then for each hair, he must give a mudd (a measure) of food.