This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai Rahimahullah's book "Qurbani ke Ahkam o Masail" (Rules and Issues of Sacrifice).
Nails should be cut after performing the sacrifice on the day of Eid al-Adha
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "When you see the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah and any one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, he should refrain from cutting his hair and nails."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1977)
From this hadith, it is established that a person who intends to offer a sacrifice should not cut his hair or trim his nails from the first of Dhu al-Hijjah until the sacrifice is made.
If someone's nail breaks or there is some damage that makes it necessary to trim the nails, then it is permissible to do so, as established by consensus.
In one hadith, it is mentioned that a person asked the Prophet, peace be upon him: If I only find a female animal (one that gives milk) for sacrifice, should I offer its sacrifice? The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "No, but you should cut your nails and hair, trim your mustache, and shave the pubic hair; then this will be your complete sacrifice in the sight of Allah."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2789, and its chain is Hasan)
From this hadith, it is understood that a person who does not have the means to offer a sacrifice, if he refrains from cutting his hair and nails from the first of Dhu al-Hijjah until the Eid prayer, he will receive the full reward of the sacrifice. SubhanAllah.
If a person who intends to offer a sacrifice cuts his nails or hair and then offers the sacrifice, his sacrifice will be valid but he will be sinful. It is narrated from Sayyida Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "When you see the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah and any one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, he should refrain from cutting his hair and nails."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1977)
In this hadith, the phrase "intends" shows that offering a sacrifice is not obligatory but a Sunnah.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As, may Allah be pleased with them, that a person asked the Prophet, peace be upon him: What do you think, if I only find a female sacrificial animal (one that gives milk), should I offer its sacrifice? The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "No, but you should cut your nails and hair, trim your mustache, and shave the pubic hair; then this will be your complete sacrifice in the sight of Allah."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2789, and its chain is Hasan)
From this hadith, it is understood that a person who does not have the ability to offer a sacrifice, if he refrains from cutting his hair and nails from the sighting of the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah until after the Eid prayer, he will receive the reward of the sacrifice.
Reference: (See the same book: pp. 12-15)
It is narrated from Sayyida Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إذا رأيتم هلال ذي الحجة وأراد أحدكم أن يضحى فليمسك عن شعره وأظفاره
"When you see the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah and any one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, he should refrain from cutting his hair and nails."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1977, Darussalam numbering: 5119)
In this hadith, the phrase "intends" shows that offering a sacrifice is not obligatory but a Sunnah.
Reference: See Al-Muhalli by Ibn Hazm (7/355, Issue 973).
From the above hadith, it is also established that for the one who intends to offer a sacrifice, it is not permissible to trim nails, shave, or cut hair.
Reference: See the same book: p. 14
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As, may Allah be pleased with them, that a person asked the Prophet, peace be upon him: What do you think, if I only find a female sacrificial animal (one that gives milk), should I offer its sacrifice? The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "No, but you should cut your nails and hair, trim your mustache, and shave the pubic hair; then this will be your complete sacrifice in the sight of Allah."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2789, and its chain is Hasan, authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Al-Mawarid: 1043, Al-Hakim: 4/223, and Al-Dhahabi)
From this hadith, it is understood that a person who does not have the ability to offer a sacrifice, if he refrains from cutting his hair and nails from the sighting of the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah until after the Eid prayer, he will receive the reward of the sacrifice.
Reference: See the same book: pp. 12-15
