Mastering the Sunnah Way of Cutting Nails: Essential Tips for Muslims

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Hi, readers! Are you looking for an explanation about the sunnah way of cutting nails? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that’s exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, it is essential for us to understand this, which is why I wrote this article. So, be sure to read it until the end!

Specifically, there are several important points about the sunnah way of cutting nails that I will discuss in this article. Some of the key points I will cover are as follows:

What Does Islam Say About Cutting Nails?

The important point I will explain now is, "What does Islam say about cutting nails?" I want you to grasp this first before you read further, as it is the foundational question in this discussion that must be understood clearly.

If we read some Islamic literature regarding cutting nails, we will find that it is explained as part of human nature (fitrah). The essence is that it is a normal practice for humans to maintain a beautiful appearance, health, comfort, and so on. We can find this explanation in several hadiths concerning cutting nails, which I will elaborate on in the next few paragraphs.

Read Also: Is It Sunnah to Cut Nails on Thursday?

So, if you ask me, "What does Islam say about cutting nails?" the answer is that cutting nails is indeed part of human nature (fitrah).

That is a brief explanation of "What does Islam say about cutting nails?" As Muslims, it is important for us to understand this.

Is It a Sin to Have Long Nails?

The important point about the sunnah way of cutting nails that I will explain now is, "Is it a sin to have long nails?" I want you to understand this question clearly, as it is a significant issue concerning cutting nails in Islam that must be well understood.

Before I answer that question, I will quote the words of Imam an-Nawawi, an expert in Islamic law, regarding the opinions of Islamic scholars about cutting nails.

قَالَ النَّوَوِيُّ: وَأَمَّا تَقْلِيْمُ الْأَظْفَارِ، فَمُجْمَعٌ عَلَى أَنَّهُ سُنَّةٌ، وَسَوَاءٌ فِيْهِ الرَّجُلُ وَالْمَرْأَةُ، وَالْيَدَانِ وَالرِّجْلَانِ

An-Nawawi said, "As for cutting nails, the opinion of the majority of Islamic jurists is that it is a sunnah (recommendation), whether for a man or a woman, and applies to both hands and feet."

Dear readers! If we understand the words of Imam an-Nawawi above, we can conclude that cutting nails is a sunnah in Islam. Sunnah is something that is recommended, and if we follow it, we will be rewarded. However, if we do not follow it, we will not be sinning.

Now, if you ask me, “Is it a sin to have long nails?” the answer is “No. Having long nails is not a sin. However, cutting our nails is better for us."

That’s a brief explanation of "Is it a sin to have long nails?" As Muslims, it’s important for us to understand this.

Hadith About Cutting Nails

The important point I will explain now is the hadith about cutting nails. I want you to grasp this, as it is a crucial aspect of this subject that must be understood well.

There are many hadiths concerning cutting nails. Of course, I won't explain all of them now. In this article, I will focus on three hadiths.

The three hadiths about cutting nails are as follows:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: الفِطْرَةُ خَمْسٌ: الخِتَانُ، وَالْإِسْتِحْدَادُ، وَقَصُّ الشَّارِبِ، وَتَقْلِيْمُ الْأَظْفَارِ، وَنَتْفُ الآبَاطِ

From Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu, from the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, that he said, "There are five aspects of human nature (fitrah): circumcision, shaving the hair in the private parts, cutting the mustache, cutting the nails, and plucking the armpit hair."

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ حَلْقُ العَانَةِ، وَتَقْلِيْمُ الأَظْفَارِ، وَقَصِّ الشَّارِبِ

From Ibn Umar radliyallahu anhuma, that the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Part of human nature (fitrah) is plucking armpit hair, cutting nails, and cutting mustaches."

عَنِ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: عَشْرٌ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ: قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ، وَإِعْفَاءُ اللِّحْيَةِ، وَالسِّوَاكُ، وَاسْتِنْشَاقُ الْمَاءِ، وَقَصُّ الْأَظْفَارِ، وَغَسْلُ الْبَرَاجِمِ، وَنَتْفُ الْإِبْطِ، وَحَلْقُ العَانَةِ، وِانْتِقَاصُ الْمَاءِ

From Aisha radliyallahu anha, she said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'There are ten things that are part of human nature: cutting mustaches, maintaining beards, cleaning the nose with water, cutting nails, washing the back of the fingers, plucking armpit hair, shaving the pubic hair, and washing with water.'"

That is a brief explanation of the hadith about cutting nails. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Sunnah Way of Cutting Nails Hadith

The important point I will explain now is the hadith regarding the sunnah way of cutting nails. I want you to grasp this, as it is an essential aspect of this subject that needs to be well understood.

When we review some Islamic literature, we find that there are no valid hadiths explaining how to cut nails. Essentially, there is no valid hadith that specifies which finger to start with when cutting nails. There isn’t one!

It is true that there is one hadith that discusses how to cut nails, but that hadith is not considered valid. The hadith I’m referring to is as follows:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِذَا أَنْتِ قَلَّمْتِ أَظْفَارَكِ فَابْدَئِي بِالْخِنْصَرِ، ثُمَّ الْوُسْطَى، ثُمَّ الْإِبْهَامِ، ثُمَّ الْبِنْصِرِ، ثُمَّ السَّبَّابَةَ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُورِثُ الْغِنَى

From Aisha radliyallahu anha, she said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'When you cut your nails, start by cutting the nails of your little finger, middle finger, thumb, ring finger, and index finger, for it can bring you wealth.'"

I want to reiterate that the hadith above is not a valid hadith regarding how to cut nails.

That is a brief explanation of the sunnah way of cutting nails hadith. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Sunnah Method of Cutting Nails

The important point about the sunnah method of cutting nails that I will explain now is the sunnah method of cutting nails. I want you to understand this so that you have a clear understanding of nail cutting in Islam after reading this article.

Before I explain the sunnah method of cutting nails, I want you to understand the following sentences:

جَزَمَ النَّوَوِيُّ فِي شَرْحِ مُسْلِمٍ بِأَنَّهُ يُسْتَحَبُّ الْبَدْاَءةُ بِمُسَبِّحَةِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ بِالْوُسْطَى ثُمَّ الْبِنْصِرِ ثُمَّ الْخِنْصَرِ ثُمَّ الْإِبْهَامِ وَفِي الْيُسْرَى بِالْبَدْاَءةِ بِخِنْصِرِهَا ثُمَّ بِالْبِنْصِرِ إِلَى الْإِبْهَامِ وَيُبْدَأُ فِي الرِّجْلَيْنِ بِخِنْصِرِ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْإِبْهَامِ وَفِي الْيُسْرَى بِإِبْهَامِهَا إِلَى الْخِنْصِرِ

An-Nawawi emphasized in "Sharh Muslim" that it is recommended to start cutting the nails of the right hand's index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and thumb. For the fingers of the left hand, one should start from the little finger and go to the thumb. For the feet, start from the right little toe to the big toe, and for the left foot, start from the big toe to the little toe.

Dear readers! That is an explanation of the sunnah method of cutting nails. I hope you understand it. One important point I want to mention is that the method of cutting nails is the opinion of Imam an-Nawawi. As I have said before, there is no valid hadith that explains

That is a brief explanation of the sunnah method of cutting nails. As Muslims, it is important for us to understand this practice.

Sunnah Days to Cut Nails

The important point about the sunnah way of cutting nails that I will explain now is the sunnah days for cutting nails. I want you to understand this by the end of our discussion so that you have a clear understanding of the best days to cut nails in Islam after reading this article.

Before I elaborate on the sunnah days for cutting nails, I will quote the words of Imam Sulaiman al-Jamal from the book "Hasyiyatul Jamal" on this topic. Please note the explanation below:

وَيُسَنُّ غَسْلُ رُؤُوسِ الْأَصَابِعِ بَعْدَ قَصِّ الْأَظْفَارِ لِمَا قِيلَ إنَّ الْحَكَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ الْغُسْلِ يُورِثُ الْبَرَصَ وَالْأَوْلَى فِي قَصِّهَا أَنْ يَكُونَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ أَوْ الْخَمِيسِ أَوْ الِاثْنَيْنِ

"It is customary to wash the fingertips after cutting the nails because some say that scratching before washing will cause leprosy. The preferred days for cutting nails are Friday, Thursday, or Monday."

Dear readers! If we understand the explanation above, we can conclude that Muslims are encouraged to cut their nails on Friday, Thursday, or Monday. This is the opinion of Islamic law experts regarding the sunnah days for cutting nails.

Read Also: Is It Sunnah to Cut Nails on Friday?

That is a brief explanation of the sunnah days for cutting nails. As Muslims, it is essential for us to understand this.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the sunnah way of cutting nails is important for Muslims as it is a practice rooted in our fitrah, or natural disposition. Throughout this article, we've explored key aspects of nail care in Islam, including the significance of maintaining clean nails for personal hygiene and health. We learned that while cutting nails is highly recommended, it is not a sin to have long nails; however, following the sunnah brings rewards. The hadiths discussed reinforce the practice, emphasizing that cutting nails is part of maintaining one's appearance. Furthermore, Imam an-Nawawi's guidance on the order of cutting nails highlights the importance of doing so systematically. Finally, the preferred days for this practice—Friday, Thursday, or Monday—offer additional insight into how Muslims can align their habits with sunnah. By embracing these teachings, we not only enhance our personal grooming but also adhere to a cherished aspect of Islamic tradition.

I believe that's enough for this article. May it be beneficial. Amen.

See you again in the next article!