Tahallul
/təˈhælʊl/noun
The ritual release from the state of ihram, usually marked by shaving or cutting the hair after pilgrimage rites.
Did you know?During Hajj or Umrah, tahallul is commonly signaled by shaving or shortening the hair, transforming a physical act into a ritual declaration that the pilgrim’s sacred restrictions have ended.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ḥ-l-l
“A root associated with loosening, releasing, or becoming permitted”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ḥalla
“He loosened, released, dissolved, or made lawful”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ḥall
“Release, resolution, dissolution, or the lifting of a restriction”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
taḥallul
“Release from a restricted state; specifically, leaving ihram after pilgrimage rites”
20th Century
English
tahallul
“An English transliteration used in writing about Islamic pilgrimage and religious practice”
Modern English
English
tahallul
“The ritual completion or release from ihram, typically involving shaving or cutting the hair”