Excerpt Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il fī Ḍaw’ al-Kitāb wa al-Sunnah
By: Shaykh Mubashshir Aḥmad Rabbānī
Nowadays many young boys and girls grow their nails long — is there any Shar‘i justification for this?
In Islam, cutting the nails is part of the natural fitrah (innate human disposition). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"خمس من الفطرة: الختان، والاستحداد، وقص الشارب، وتقليم الأظفار، ونتف الإبط"
“Five things are from the natural fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails, and plucking the armpit hair.”
In another ḥadīth from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (261), ten elements of fitrah are mentioned, one of which is nail cutting.
The Prophet ﷺ also prescribed a maximum limit of forty days for:
Beyond this period, it becomes impermissible to delay these acts of purification.
Anyone — male or female — who grows nails beyond forty days is in violation of the Sunnah and the natural fitrah.
Growing nails leads to accumulation of dirt and filth, which spreads impurity and disease — contrary to the Islamic principle of ṭahārah (purity).
Many Muslim women imitate non-Muslim fashion trends by growing and decorating their nails, influenced by Western media and celebrities.
The Sharī‘ah warns against imitating disbelievers, especially in matters contradicting Islamic teachings.
✖ Growing nails is neither permissible nor justifiable in Islam.
✔ A clean, practicing Muslim should maintain hygiene and stay within the limits set by the Sunnah.
“Avoid everything that contradicts the Sharī‘ah — no matter how widespread it becomes in society.”
By: Shaykh Mubashshir Aḥmad Rabbānī
❖ Question:
Nowadays many young boys and girls grow their nails long — is there any Shar‘i justification for this?
❖ Ruling: Growing Nails Is Against the Sunnah
In Islam, cutting the nails is part of the natural fitrah (innate human disposition). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"خمس من الفطرة: الختان، والاستحداد، وقص الشارب، وتقليم الأظفار، ونتف الإبط"
“Five things are from the natural fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails, and plucking the armpit hair.”
Reference: Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Isti’dhān, Bāb al-Khitān ba‘d al-Kibar wa Natf al-Ibṭ, Ḥadīth: 6297
In another ḥadīth from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (261), ten elements of fitrah are mentioned, one of which is nail cutting.
❖ Time Limit: 40 Days Maximum
The Prophet ﷺ also prescribed a maximum limit of forty days for:
- Trimming the moustache
- Cutting the nails
- Removing armpit hair
- Shaving pubic hair
Beyond this period, it becomes impermissible to delay these acts of purification.
Anyone — male or female — who grows nails beyond forty days is in violation of the Sunnah and the natural fitrah.❖ Hygiene and Cleanliness
Growing nails leads to accumulation of dirt and filth, which spreads impurity and disease — contrary to the Islamic principle of ṭahārah (purity).❖ Imitating Non-Muslims Is Forbidden
Many Muslim women imitate non-Muslim fashion trends by growing and decorating their nails, influenced by Western media and celebrities. The Sharī‘ah warns against imitating disbelievers, especially in matters contradicting Islamic teachings.❖ Conclusion
✖ Growing nails is neither permissible nor justifiable in Islam.
✔ A clean, practicing Muslim should maintain hygiene and stay within the limits set by the Sunnah.
“Avoid everything that contradicts the Sharī‘ah — no matter how widespread it becomes in society.”
