DAILY FIQH

Question: How should Masah of the head be made?

Answer: The Fuqaha have mentioned two methods of making Masah of the head:

1) Both hands should be passed over the entire head, commencing from the front of the head and terminating at the back of the head. [Shami V1/121; Bahr V1/P26; FathulQadeerV1/P17;FataawaHindiyaV1/P7].

2)      Masah will start by placing three fingers of each hand i.e. the three fingers from the little finger – at the front of the head beginning by the hairline. The thumbs and the forefingers, together with the palms, will be held separated from the head.The six fingers will be drawn towards the back in a straight line over the head until the neck is reached.  Thereafter the palms will be drawn forward along the two sides of the head to the front of the head. Remember, in drawing the palms forward, the six fingers (previously used) should not touch the head. The Masah of the head will now be complete. (The thumb and forefinger of each hand that were kept separated will now be used to make Masah of the ears.) Majma’ul Anhar V1/P28.

This second method is the one that is generally practiced upon.

And Allah Knows Best

Yusuf Moosagie