Is Trimming the Nails Obligatory in Islam?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
Is trimming the nails necessary according to Islam?
Yes, trimming the nails is necessary.
It is a part of natural disposition (fiṭrah) and essential for personal cleanliness.
It is obligatory to cut the nails within forty (40) days.
Delaying beyond this limit is considered a major sin (kabīrah).
Long nails often accumulate dirt and filth, which is unsightly and offensive to others.
Sadly, some people, especially women, take pride in growing long nails and display them boastfully — this is a public sin.
Some individuals grow only one or two nails long as a style statement — this too is impermissible, as it is an imitation of non-Muslim culture, which some ignorant people have adopted.
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Five practices are from the fiṭrah (natural way):
① Circumcision, ② Shaving the pubic hair, ③ Plucking the armpit hair, ④ Cutting the nails, and ⑤ Trimming the mustache."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5889, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 257)
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Ten acts are from the fiṭrah:
① Trimming the mustache, ② Growing the beard, ③ Using the miswāk, ④ Rinsing the nose with water,
⑤ Cutting the nails, ⑥ Washing the knuckles, ⑦ Plucking the armpit hair, ⑧ Shaving the pubic hair,
⑨ Cleaning oneself with water after relieving oneself,
⑩ (The tenth was forgotten by the narrator, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.)"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 261)
✔ Cutting the nails is part of Islamic hygiene and the Prophet's Sunnah.
✔ It should be done at least once within every 40 days.
✔ Neglecting it is sinful, and adopting styles that resemble non-Islamic cultures is prohibited.
✔ Muslim men and women should remain proud of their Islamic identity and not follow harmful societal trends.
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
❖ Question:
Is trimming the nails necessary according to Islam?
✿ Answer:
Yes, trimming the nails is necessary.
It is a part of natural disposition (fiṭrah) and essential for personal cleanliness.
It is obligatory to cut the nails within forty (40) days.
Delaying beyond this limit is considered a major sin (kabīrah).
Long nails often accumulate dirt and filth, which is unsightly and offensive to others.
Warning Against Modern Trends:
Sadly, some people, especially women, take pride in growing long nails and display them boastfully — this is a public sin.
Some individuals grow only one or two nails long as a style statement — this too is impermissible, as it is an imitation of non-Muslim culture, which some ignorant people have adopted.
❀ Prophetic Guidance on Nail Cutting:
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:"Five practices are from the fiṭrah (natural way):
① Circumcision, ② Shaving the pubic hair, ③ Plucking the armpit hair, ④ Cutting the nails, and ⑤ Trimming the mustache."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5889, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 257) Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"Ten acts are from the fiṭrah:
① Trimming the mustache, ② Growing the beard, ③ Using the miswāk, ④ Rinsing the nose with water,
⑤ Cutting the nails, ⑥ Washing the knuckles, ⑦ Plucking the armpit hair, ⑧ Shaving the pubic hair,
⑨ Cleaning oneself with water after relieving oneself,
⑩ (The tenth was forgotten by the narrator, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.)"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 261) Conclusion:
✔ Cutting the nails is part of Islamic hygiene and the Prophet's Sunnah.
✔ It should be done at least once within every 40 days.
✔ Neglecting it is sinful, and adopting styles that resemble non-Islamic cultures is prohibited.
✔ Muslim men and women should remain proud of their Islamic identity and not follow harmful societal trends.
