The Ruling on Artificial Nails and Nail Polish During Wudu
Question:
What is the ruling on the wudu of a woman who has artificial nails or nail polish applied on her nails?
Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
For a woman, the use of artificial nails or nail polish, while she is one who prays, is not permissible. The basic reason is that these substances prevent water from reaching the body during wudu or ghusl.
Anything that prevents water from reaching the body parts of wudu or ghusl is legally impermissible to use. The evidence for this is the following verse of the Noble Qur’an:
﴿فَاغسِلوا وُجوهَكُم وَأَيدِيَكُم﴾
“So wash your faces and your hands.”
When a woman has applied nail polish or artificial nails which prevent water from reaching her hands, then her washing of the hands cannot be counted. This means she has omitted one of the obligatory acts (fara’id) of wudu or ghusl.
If the woman is not performing prayer:
If a woman is not in a state in which she performs prayer, such as when she is in menstruation, then there is no harm in her using artificial nails or nail polish.
However, if this practice resembles the conduct of disbelieving women, then it will not be permissible due to that resemblance as well.
Mention of incorrect fatwas:
Some people have issued a fatwa that the use of artificial nails and nail polish is like wearing socks. They say that a woman may use them for one day and night (when resident) or three days and nights (when traveling).
But this fatwa is completely wrong, because it is not correct to analogize everything with which a person covers his body to socks.
The Shariah has permitted wiping over socks only because:
◈ There is a need to protect the feet from cold
◈ The feet directly touch the ground or pebbles
◈ The Shariah has specifically permitted leniency regarding them
Incorrect applications of analogy:
Some people have also analogized artificial nails and nail polish to the turban, but this analogy is also not correct, because:
◈ The turban relates to the head, and on the head the obligation is only to wipe
◈ Whereas washing the hands is obligatory
The Prophet ﷺ did not permit a woman to wipe over gloves either, even though gloves also cover the hands.
This shows that nothing which prevents water from reaching the body can be analogized to the turban or to socks.
The responsibility of issuing a fatwa:
A Muslim should:
◈ Make full effort in seeking the truth
◈ Refrain from issuing a fatwa unless he is certain that it is obligatory upon him to issue one
◈ If he does not issue a fatwa and Allah Most High questions him about it, he will be responsible
Because issuing a fatwa is, in reality, conveying the Shariah of Allah Most High.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
