What Is the Maximum Time Limit for Trimming the Nails in Islam?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
What is the maximum permissible period for trimming the nails in Islam?
Trimming the nails must be done before forty (40) days.
Delaying beyond forty days is impermissible and sinful.
Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated:
"A time limit was set for us regarding trimming the mustache, cutting the nails, plucking the armpit hair, and shaving the pubic hair —
not to leave it for more than forty nights."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 258)
It is narrated regarding Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما:
"He used to trim his nails and cut his mustache every Jumuʿah (Friday)."
(al-Sunan al-Kubrā by al-Bayhaqī: 2/244 – Chain is authentic)
Al-Fatāwā al-ʿĀlamgīriyyah states:
"It is best to cut the nails, trim the mustache, remove pubic hair, and perform ghusl once every week.
If one cannot do so weekly, then at least every fifteen (15) days.
If one neglects it beyond forty (40) days, there is no excuse.
He becomes deserving of punishment."
(Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīriyyah: 1/357)
✔ Maximum limit: 40 days
✔ Recommended frequency: Weekly (e.g., every Friday)
✔ Neglect beyond 40 days is a sin and worthy of divine warning
✔ It is part of the fiṭrah (natural disposition) and Sunnah
✔ A Muslim should maintain cleanliness and hygiene as part of their devotion to Allah ﷻ
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
❖ Question:
What is the maximum permissible period for trimming the nails in Islam?
✿ Answer:
Trimming the nails must be done before forty (40) days.
Delaying beyond forty days is impermissible and sinful.
❀ Clear Instruction from the Prophet ﷺ:
Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated:"A time limit was set for us regarding trimming the mustache, cutting the nails, plucking the armpit hair, and shaving the pubic hair —
not to leave it for more than forty nights."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 258)❀ Practice of the Companions:
It is narrated regarding Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما:"He used to trim his nails and cut his mustache every Jumuʿah (Friday)."
(al-Sunan al-Kubrā by al-Bayhaqī: 2/244 – Chain is authentic)❀ Ruling in Ḥanafī Fiqh:
Al-Fatāwā al-ʿĀlamgīriyyah states:"It is best to cut the nails, trim the mustache, remove pubic hair, and perform ghusl once every week.
If one cannot do so weekly, then at least every fifteen (15) days.
If one neglects it beyond forty (40) days, there is no excuse.
He becomes deserving of punishment."
(Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīriyyah: 1/357) Summary:
✔ Maximum limit: 40 days
✔ Recommended frequency: Weekly (e.g., every Friday)
✔ Neglect beyond 40 days is a sin and worthy of divine warning
✔ It is part of the fiṭrah (natural disposition) and Sunnah
✔ A Muslim should maintain cleanliness and hygiene as part of their devotion to Allah ﷻ
