Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
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.
[Fatwa based on Qur'an and Sunnah]
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).
- 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]