Removing hair during الإحرام — whether by shaving, cutting, or plucking — is prohibited until the time of tahalul (exiting الإحرام) on the Day of Sacrifice. If a الحاج removes hair before this time, they must pay a فدية as specified in القرآن: 'And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head (must offer) a ransom of fasting or charity or sacrifice' (2:196). This verse was revealed regarding Ka'b ibn Ujrah, who had lice and needed to shave his head during الإحرام.
الشيخ ابن باز explained the three options for this فدية, from which the الحاج may choose any one: (1) fasting three days (which do not need to be consecutive); (2) feeding six poor persons, giving each one half a sa' (approximately 1.5 kg) of the staple food of the region (such as rice, wheat, or dates); or (3) sacrificing a sheep and distributing its meat to the poor. The الحاج may choose whichever option is easiest for them.
الشيخ ابن عثيمين clarified important distinctions: if the hair removal was due to genuine necessity (illness, medical treatment, unbearable lice), the فدية is due but there is no sin. If it was deliberate without necessity, both sin and فدية apply. If it was accidental (hair falling during washing without pulling), the majority of scholars hold that no فدية is due, based on the principle that accidental violations during الإحرام are pardoned. الفوزان added that the فدية may be performed in the Haram or anywhere else — it is not restricted to مكة or منى.