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Summary of Question:	What Should I Do With The Bunch Of My Cut Hair?
Category:	Hair
Date Posted:	Friday, 8/15/2003 11:30 PM MDT

Respected Sikhnet,

Sat Shri Akkal.I am Sikh by birth. I met a very severe accident in 1998 due to which I had to get a haircut due to multiple injuries to the spinal cord and head. As a mark of respect I decided to take home my cut hair and kept them at home. I am very shameful for not being able to maintain the Sikh marada. I am very religious by heart and mind.Now after five years I have decided to Keep Hair again and have started tying turban. I do not trim my beard as well. I have decided to leave my beard uncut for the rest of my life as per the specifications of the khalsa panth.
My main question to you is:
According to our religious rites(Sikh Marayada) what should I do with the bunch of my cut hair. Someone suggested me to drain them with respect once I have the same amount of hair on my head. But for that to happen will take at leat 4-5 months as my hair are growing at a slow rate. What should I do of the bunch of hair which were cut 5 years ago? Please guide me.

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal. Sikh Maryada does not indicate that in cases of medical necessity, cutting hair is still forbidden. While it is very hard to do, if it must be done, one does it in order to get well and serve God's purpose here. So I don't think that your hair was cut because of head/spinal injuries is a sin. And now you are growing it all back. WONDERFUL!
I don't think there is anything special you should do with your leftover locks. If the hair isn't dried out, I would recommend donating it to a wig place so people who lose hair because of chemotherapy can have something to wear. Otherwise, I recommend you burn it since Sikhs are cremated after death.
Guru ang sang,
-DKK