What Is the Sunnah Way to Cut Your Nails? The Sunnah Way Explained

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Are you looking for a description regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will be discussing in this short post. As Muslims, it is important that we understand this, and that's why I have written this brief article. So, make sure to read it through!

Specifically, there are several key aspects of "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" which I will discuss here. Some of the key points are as follows:

Cutting Nails in Islam

The first important point regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" that I will explain now is about cutting nails in Islam. It’s important for you to understand this before moving forward, as it forms the foundation of the discussion we are about to have.

If we read some Islamic literature about cutting nails, we’ll find an explanation that cutting nails is part of human nature (fitrah). It refers to the common practices that people follow to maintain cleanliness, appearance, health, and comfort. We can find this explanation in several hadiths about cutting nails, which I will discuss in the following paragraphs.

Read Also: Is It Sunnah to Shower with Your Spouse in Islam?

So, if you ask me about cutting nails in Islam, the answer is that cutting nails is part of fitrah, or human nature.

That’s a brief explanation about cutting nails in Islam. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Is It a Sin to Have Long Nails?

The second essential point regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" that I will discuss now is: "Is it a sin to have long nails?" I want you to understand this because it is an important question concerning cutting nails in Islam that must be well understood.

Before answering this question (Is it a sin to have long nails?), I will quote the words of Imam an-Nawawi, an Islamic legal scholar, regarding the views of Islamic jurists on cutting nails in Islam:

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

An-Nawawi said, "As for cutting nails, it is unanimously agreed upon by Islamic scholars that it is a sunnah (recommended), whether for men or women, for hands or feet."

If we reflect on Imam an-Nawawi's words above, we can conclude that cutting nails is a sunnah in Islam. Sunnah means it is recommended. If we do it, we will be rewarded, but if we don't, we won't be sinful.

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 them is better for us."

This is a brief explanation of "Is it a sin to have long nails?" As Muslims, we must understand this.

Cutting Nails Hadith

The third essential point regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" that I will discuss now is the hadiths about cutting nails. This is important because these hadiths are key to understanding the topic thoroughly.

There are many hadiths about cutting nails, and I won't discuss all of them here. Instead, I will mention three important ones.

عَنْ أَبِيْ 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 (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), that he said, "There are five acts that are part of fitrah (natural disposition): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, trimming the mustache, cutting the nails, and plucking the armpit hair."

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

From Ibn Umar (radliyallahu anhuma), that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Part of fitrah is shaving the pubic hair, cutting the nails, and trimming the mustache."

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 (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'There are ten acts that are part of fitrah: trimming the mustache, leaving the beard, using the siwak (toothstick), rinsing the nose with water, cutting the nails, washing the joints of the fingers, plucking the armpit hair, shaving the pubic hair, and cleaning oneself with water (after relieving oneself).'"

This is a brief explanation of the hadiths related to cutting nails. As Muslims, we must understand this.

What Is the Sunnah Way to Cut Your Nails?

The 4th essential point regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" that I will discuss now is the sunnah method of cutting nails or hadiths related to cutting nails. It is important to understand this now because it is a significant aspect of this topic that needs to be clearly comprehended.

If we read some Islamic literature, we won't find authentic hadiths that explain how to cut nails. The point is that there is no authentic hadith specifying which finger to start with when cutting nails. None!

It is true that there is one hadith that mentions how to cut nails, but it is not an authentic hadith. The hadith I am referring to is as follows:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إذَا أَنْتِ قَلَّمْتِ أَظْفَارَكِ فَابْدَئِي بِالْخِنْصَرِ ، ثُمَّ الْوُسْطَى ، ثُمَّ الْإِبْهَامِ ، ثُمَّ الْبِنْصِرِ ، ثُمَّ السَّبَّابَةِ 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 with the little finger, then the middle finger, then the thumb, then the ring finger, and finally the index finger, for that will bring wealth.'"

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

That is a brief explanation of "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" As Muslims, we need to understand this.

How Should Muslims Cut Their Nails?

The 5th essential point regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" that I will discuss now is, "How should Muslims cut their nails?" It's important to understand this so that you have a clear understanding of nail cutting in Islam after reading this article.

Before I discuss "How Muslims should cut their nails," I want you to understand the following statement:

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

An-Nawawi stated in "Sharh Muslim" that it is recommended to start cutting the nails of the right hand with the index finger, followed by the middle finger, ring finger, little finger, and thumb. For the left hand, start with the little finger, then the ring finger, and so on to the thumb. For the feet, begin with the little toe on the right foot and end with the big toe, and on the left foot, begin with the big toe and end with the little toe.

That is an explanation of the sunnah method of cutting nails. I hope you understand it. However, one key point I want to emphasize is that this method of cutting nails is based on the opinion of Imam an-Nawawi. As I mentioned earlier, there is no authentic hadith that prescribes this method.

That is a brief explanation of "How should Muslims cut their nails?" As Muslims, we should be aware of this.

Which Day Is Best to Cut Nails in Islam?

The 6th essential point regarding "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" that I will discuss now is, "Which day is best to cut nails in Islam?" It is important to understand this by the end of this 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 "Which day is best to cut nails in Islam?", I will quote the words of Imam Sulaiman al-Jamal in the book "Hasyiyatul Jamal" on this matter. Note the explanation below:

وَيُسَنُّ غَسْلُ رُءُوسِ 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 sunnah to wash the fingertips after cutting the nails because some say that scratching before washing can cause leprosy. The preferred days for cutting nails are Friday, Thursday, or Monday.

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

That is a brief explanation of "Which day is best to cut nails in Islam?" As Muslims, we should be aware of this.

This is a brief overview of "What is the sunnah way to cut your nails?" and some important aspects of it. Do you understand? If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I believe this explanation is sufficient for now. May it be beneficial. Ameen.

See you again in the next article!

Akhmad Syafiuddin
Akhmad Syafiuddin An expert in Islamic discourse and law, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 comments for "What Is the Sunnah Way to Cut Your Nails? The Sunnah Way Explained"

Comment Author Avatar
Assalamualaikum,

Hi Akhmad,

You explained the sunnah of cutting nails very well in your article. Your writing is very informative. Salute! Jazakallah!
Comment Author Avatar
Waalaikum salam,

Hi Salma,

Thank you for reading this article.

Regards,