Question:
Is it permissible for a person intending to offer Qurbani (sacrifice) to cut hair and nails during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah? What is the ruling for someone who is not offering Qurbani?
Answer:
A person who intends to offer Qurbani should refrain from cutting hair or nails after the sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah moon until the sacrifice is made.
📖 Narrated by Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها):
“When you see the moon of Dhul-Hijjah, and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, then let him refrain from cutting his hair and nails until he has offered the sacrifice.”
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Sacrifices, Hadith 1977]
However, a person who is not offering Qurbani may still earn the reward of sacrifice by performing personal grooming (cutting hair, trimming nails, etc.) on the day of Eid.
📖 Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘I have been commanded to observe Eid al-Adha, and Allah has designated it for this Ummah.’ A man asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What if I find nothing to sacrifice except a milking goat? Should I offer it in sacrifice?’ The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: ‘No, but cut your hair, trim your nails, shorten your mustache, and shave your pubic hair—this will be counted as a complete sacrifice in the sight of Allah.'”
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2789; Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 4370]
🔹 Scholars such as Imam Ibn Hibban, Imam Hakim, and Imam Dhahabi have authenticated this Hadith.
Summary of Rulings:
For those offering Qurbani:
- They must not cut hair, nails, or remove any body hair from the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah until the sacrifice is done.
- This practice is in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ).
For those not offering Qurbani:
- They may trim their hair and nails on Eid day and still receive the full reward of sacrifice from Allah.
📜 [Fatwa based on Qur’an and Sunnah]
