Initial release from ihram:
A pilgrim performing Tamattuʿ or Qiran Hajj will be initially released from ihram by stoning the Jamarah, shaving the head or shortening the hair, and slaughtering the hadi. Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said,
“اذَا رَمَيْتُمُ الْجَمْرَةَ وَذَبَحْتُمْ وَحَلَقْتُمْ ، فَقَدْ حَل لَكُمْ كُلُّ شَيْءِ”
‘When you stone the Jamarah, slaughter the sacrifice, and shave your heads, everything will become lawful for you.’[1] A pilgrim performing Ifrad Hajj will be released from ihram by shaving the head or shortening the hair.
After the initial release from ihram, everything prohibited due to ihram will become lawful, except intercourse and sexual conduct with one’s wife. Aishah (RA) said,
“حَلَّ لَهُ كُلُّ شَيْءِ الا النِّسَاءَ”.
‘Everything will become lawful for him except women.’[2]
Many scholars, including Imam Abu Hanifah (rah.), adopted the above view. However, Imam Malik (rah.) said that the initial release from ihram occurs merely by stoning the Jamarah. The statement of Ibn Abbas (RA) is evidence in support of his view. He said,
“إِذَا رَمَيْتُمُ الْجَمْرَةَ فَقَدْ حَلَّ لَكُمْ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ إِلاَّ النِّسَاءَ”.
‘When you stone the Jamarah, everything will become lawful for you except women.’[3]
According to the Shafiʿis, the initial release from ihram occurs by stoning the Jamarah and shaving the head or shortening the hair. According to the Hanbalis, however, the initial release from ihram occurs upon performing any two of these three acts: stoning the Jamarah, shaving the head or shortening the hair, and performing the obligatory tawaf of Baytullah.
Final release from ihram:
When the pilgrim has completed these acts—stoning the Jamarah, slaughtering the animal, shaving the head or shortening the hair, performing the obligatory tawaf of Baytullah, and saʿi—he will be completely released from ihram. Sexual intercourse with his wife will then also become lawful for him. Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (RA) said,
“فَإِذا رَمَى الْجَمْرَة الْكُبْرَى حل لَهُ كل شَيْء إِلَّا النِّسَاء حَتى يَزُورَ البَيتَ”
‘When he—the pilgrim—stones the large Jamarah, everything will become lawful for him. However, women will not become lawful for him until he visits Baytullah.’[4]
It is understood from this that the final release from ihram occurs only when the tawaf of Baytullah, or Tawaf al-Ziyarah, has been completed.
[1]. Sahih Abu Dawud: 6/219.
[2]. Sahih Abu Dawud: 6/219.
[3]. Sahih Ibn Majah: 2/179.
[4]. Sahih Abu Dawud: 6/220.