There are many rules set by Islam for performing Umrah and Hajj, and one of them is that you don’t cut your nails once you are in the Ihram state.
Don’t Cut Your Nails During Ihram
During the state of Ihram, you don’t cut your nails, whether you are a man or a woman.
And that’s what Alla says in Quran:
(ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الْعَتِيقِ) [Al-Hajj: 29]
(Then let them end their idle talk, fulfill their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House)
Since cleanliness is recommended in the Islamic religion, it is recommended that you cut your nails before entering the state of Ihram.
Don’t Cut Your Nails If You Want To Sacrifice
If you want to sacrifice and slaughter a sacrifice For Hajj or on Eid al-Adha, don’t cut your nails from the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah until the sacrifice is slaughtered.
And that’s what Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
( إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ هِلَالَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَأَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ ، فَلْيُمْسِكْ عَنْ شَعْرِهِ وَأَظْفَارِهِ ) [Narrated by Muslim]
(If you see the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah and one of you wants to sacrifice, then let him stop cutting his hair and nails)
There is no difference between men and women in this ruling either.
When Can You Cut Your Nails?
The prohibition of cutting nails is only during Ihram or when intending to sacrifice, you can cut your nails in the following cases:
- You can trim your nails before entering the Ihram.
- After completing the Umrah or After stoning at Jamarat al-Aqaba.
- After slaughtering the sacrifice.
- Nail damaged or caused you harm and pain.
- When forgetting or not knowing that it is forbidden (Haram).
Violation Penalty
If you cut your nails in cases where nail cutting is prohibited, you will face one of the following penalties:
- Intentionally cutting nails (less than 10 nails) entails paying expiation (kaffarah), one portion of the food equals 750 grams for each nail.
- Cutting all the nails of the hands or feet, or both, in one session the expiation (kaffarah) is one sheep.
- Cutting all the nails of the hands or feet, or both, in two sessions the expiation (kaffarah) is two sheep.
- In the case of clipping all the nails of the hands or feet only, one sheep must be expiated for the clipped nails and one portion of food for each nail that has not been trimmed.
- In case the pilgrim has more than 10 nails (on his hands or feet) and cuts all of the nails, the expiation (kaffarah) is one sheep, and it is preferable to pay a portion of food for each extra nail.
Prohibitions of Ihram
Besides the “Don’t cut your nails” rule once you’re in a state of Ihram the following actions are not allowed:
Putting Perfume
During Ihram, it is forbidden to use perfume or anything that has a fragrance on any part of the body or clothes.
Apply Henna/Kohl
Applying henna to the hair or parts of the body is not permitted, as well as using scented kohl. If it is not scented, there is nothing wrong with using it.
Wearing Stitched Clothes
Men should not wear any tailored clothing that is tailored to fit the shape of their body such as a shirt and trousers.
Head/Face Coverage
This prohibition includes covering the head or face for men, and covering the face for women; As this is forbidden during Ihram.
Other Prohibitions
Some of the other Ihram prohibitions:
- Covering the hands with gloves for women.
- Shaving or cutting the hair for both men and women.
- Using perfume, body oils, or wearing jewelry.
- Hunting or killing animals or insects.
- Any Sexual activity.
- Looking in the mirror.
- Draw blood from the body or remove teeth.
- Fighting and lying.
- Carrying a weapon.
- Cut down trees and plants.
