Question:
Assalamualaikum SS Dato’ Seri Mufti. Is there any authentic hadith that explains on the advantages of clipping one’s nails on certain days?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
We will start with a hadith which states that clipping one’s nails is part of the fitrah (nature) of humans. The Prophet PBUH said:
خَمْسٌ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ: الْخِتَانُ، وَالاِسْتِحْدَادُ، وَنَتْفُ الإِبْطِ، وَتَقْلِيمُ الأَظْفَارِ، وَقَصُّ الشَّارِبِ
"Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic region, clipping the nails and cutting the moustaches short."
Sahih al-Bukhari (5550) and Sahih Muslim (257)
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explained that the total (five things) stated is not limited to only that for there are other numbers stated in other hadiths. (See Fath al-Bari, 10/337)
Answering the above question, there is no specific hadith or evidence that specify certain days to clip one’s nails nor is there any statements of specific advantages.
As for hadiths that specify certain days and advantages of clipping one’s nails on those days are all inauthentic. Imam al-sakhawi explained: “There is not a single hadith from the Prophet PBUH which explained the specific way or days to clip the nails.” (See al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, pg. 489)
However, there are several narrations from the companions of the Prophet PBUH and tabi’in that showed that they would usually clip their nails on Fridays. Among them are:
- Ibnu Umar R.Anhuma would usually clip his nails and trim his moustache on Fridays. (See al-Sunan Al-Kubra by al-Baihaqi, 3/244)
- From Ibrahim, he narrated: “People would clip their nails on Fridays.” (See al-Musannafby Ibn Abi Syaibah, 2/65)
- Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Taimi (a tabi’in) said: “Whoever clips his nails and trims his moustache on Fridays has completed his Friday.” (See al-Musannaf by Abd al-Razzaq, 3/197)
According to the above narrations, fiqh scholars from madhhab Syafie and Hanbali state the encouragement of clipping one’s nails on Fridays. Imam al-Nawawi said: “Al-Syafie and the ashab firmly state the encouragement of clipping nails on Fridays.” (See al-Majmu’, 1/340)
Thus, the act of clipping one’s nails is encouraged on Fridays. Islam greatly encourages its followers to keep themselves tidy and neat by clipping their nails for Islam emphasizes cleanliness. Furthermore, Friday is the day Muslims would congregate in the mosque to listen to the sermon. Thus, some companions of the Prophet PBUH as well as the tabi’in chose to clip their nails on Fridays. (See Fath al-Bari by Ibn Rajab, 8/104)
However, if a person did not have the time, then it is permissible to be done at any appropriate time. Nevertheless, it should not be neglected for more than 40 days. This is in accordance with a hadith from Anas bin Malik RA, where he said:
وُقِّتَ لَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَصَّ الشَّارِبِ ، وَتَقْلِيمَ الأَظْفَارِ ، وَحَلْقَ الْعَانَةِ ، وَنَتْفَ الْإِبْطِ ، لاَ يُتْرَكُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا
"A time limit was set for us, by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), regarding trimming the moustache, clipping the nails and plucking the pubes; we were not to leave that for more than forty days,"
Sahih Muslim (520), Sunan al-Tirmizi (2759) and Sunan al-Nasaie (15)
Imam al-Nawawi said that the above hadith explained that the companions of the Prophet PBUH never delay these things when their time comes and even if they did, they would not neglect it for more than 40 days. It also does not mean that the Prophet PBUH gave an absolute permission to delay it until 40 days. (See al-Majmu’, 1/287)
Hopefully, we are given the correct knowledge and understanding in obeying all His commandments. Amin.