The blessed hair of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ holds a special place in Islamic history and the hearts of Muslims. Authentic narrations establish that the Prophet ﷺ had his head shaved and distributed his blessed hair among his Companions (رضي الله عنهم), who treasured it as a source of blessings (tabarruk).

The practice is documented in the authentic collections of Hadith, particularly Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. These narrations also record how the Companions showed profound reverence for the Prophet's ﷺ blessed belongings and preserved them with great devotion.
Several questions arise in this context: Did the Prophet ﷺ have his head shaved? Did he distribute his hair among the Companions? What is the authenticity of the accounts concerning Sayyiduna Khalid ibn al-Walid and Sayyidah Umm Salama (رضي الله عنهما)?
Authentic Islamic sources provide clear answers.

The Prophet ﷺ Had His Blessed Head Shaved

Imam al-Bukhari records a narration from Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had his head shaved, Sayyiduna Abu Talha (رضي الله عنه) was the first to receive some of his blessed hair.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, p. 75, Hadith 169; Dar Ibn Kathir, Dar al-Yamama).
This narration establishes that the Prophet ﷺ had his head shaved and that his blessed hair was received by his Companions.

The Companions Preserved Every Strand

I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while the barber was shaving his head. His Companions gathered around him, ensuring that no strand of his blessed hair fell except into the hands of one of them.
(Sahih Muslim, Vol. 7, p. 89, Hadith 2325; Dar al-Tiba'ah al-'Amirah).
This narration reflects the extraordinary love and reverence the Companions had for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Distribution of the Blessed Hair at Mina

Another authentic narration in Sahih Muslim describes the distribution of the Prophet's ﷺ hair during Hajj.
Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrates that after performing the rites of sacrifice at Mina, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the barber to shave the right side of his head and then the left. He subsequently distributed his blessed hair among the people.
The narration provides clear evidence that the Prophet ﷺ distributed his blessed hair among his Companions.

The Wisdom Behind Distributing the Blessed Hair

Imam al-Zurqani, explaining the significance of this act, writes:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ distributed his blessed hair among his Companions so that it would remain among them as a source of blessing and a cherished remembrance. It was also as though he was indicating the nearness of his departure from this world.

Sayyiduna Khalid ibn al-Walid's Battle Cap

The account of Sayyiduna Khalid ibn al-Walid (رضي الله عنه) preserving the blessed hair of the Prophet ﷺ in his battle cap is mentioned by the renowned Hadith scholar, Allamah Badr al-Din al-'Ayni (رحمة الله عليه), in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, 'Umdat al-Qari.
More than one scholar has mentioned that Sayyiduna Khalid ibn al-Walid (رضي الله عنه) kept strands of the Prophet's ﷺ blessed hair inside his battle cap. It is reported that, through its blessing, whenever he advanced against an enemy, victory was granted to him.

Sayyidah Umm Salama and the Blessed Hair

An especially significant narration concerning the preservation of the Prophet's ﷺ blessed hair is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari.
Sayyiduna 'Uthman ibn 'Abdullah ibn Mawhab narrates that his family sent him to Sayyidah Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها) with a vessel of water. Inside a small silver container, she preserved some of the Prophet's ﷺ hair.
The narration states that whenever someone suffered from the evil eye or an illness, people would send a vessel of water to her. The blessed hair would be placed in the water, which was then used for the purpose of seeking healing.
The narrator further mentions that he looked inside the container and saw reddish strands of hair.
This narration provides authentic evidence that Sayyidah Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها) preserved the Prophet's ﷺ blessed hair and that people sought blessings through it.

Conclusion

The authentic narrations of Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim establish that the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had his head shaved and distributed his blessed hair among his Companions. The accounts of Sayyidah Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها) and the preservation of the blessed hair by Sayyiduna Khalid ibn al-Walid (رضي الله عنه) further illustrate the reverence with which the Companions regarded the sacred relics of the Prophet ﷺ.
These historical accounts remind Muslims of the extraordinary love, devotion and respect the Companions had for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
May Allah Almighty bless us with sincere love for His Beloved Prophet ﷺ and grant us the benefit of his blessings. Ameen.

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