What is the ruling on shaving the hair of a newborn girl like newborn boys? حلق شعر الأنثى عند ولادتها

All praise is due to Allah alone, and may the Salah and Salam of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions.

To answer your question, we say while seeking the success from Allah:

The scholars differed with regard to shaving the head of a newborn girl. The Maliki and Shafa’i scholars are of the view that it should be shaved just like the hair of newborn boys whereas Hanbali scholars are of the view that it should not be shaved.  The former quoted as evidence for shaving the head of a newborn girl the mursal report narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn al-Husain who said: Fatimah the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (may the Salah and Salam of Allah be upon him) weighed the hair of al-Hasan, al-Husain, Zaynab and Umm Kalthoom, and gave the equivalent weight in silver in charity.” (Muwatta Malik 2/501 – Hadith No. 1067). Further to the point, they stated that the reason for shaving the hair of newborns is applicable to boys and girls as it is intended to remove the harm. It was narrated that Salman ibn ‘Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) related: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (may the Salah and Salam of Allah be upon him) say: ‘With the (newborn) boy there is his ‘aqeeqah, so shed blood (slaughter an animal) on his behalf and remove the harm from him.’” Reported by al-Bukhari (5471) and shaving the hair of the newborn is from the acts of removing the harm as stated by many scholars. However, the Hanbali scholars relied on the fact that women in principle are not allowed to shave their heads as can be concluded from the general statement of the Prophet (may the Salah and Salam of Allah be upon him) narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) wherein he said: “Women do not have to shave their heads; rather they are prescribed to cut their hair.” Reported by Abu Dawd (1984) and responded that the reports related to shaving the hair of newborns are specific to boys; hence the general ruling of impermissibility for women to shave their hair includes newborn girls too.

However, it appears to me given the arguments of the scholars who stated that this act is prescribed in religion that shaving the hair of newborn girls is permissible, if there is a benefit in doing so. The report relied on by those who disallow it is weak and even if it is assumed to be authentic, the argument and evidence of the other scholars can be exception to the general rule.

And Allah knows best.

Your brother,

Prof. Khalid al-Muslih