198. You Cannot Use Artificial Nails

By Asma Bint Shameem

They prevent water from reaching underneath and therefore the wudhu would not be valid. 

In any case we’re supposed to cut our nails and not let them grow long. 

It’s part of the fitrah to cut nails. 

And growing long nails is *against* the fitrah or natural disposition of man. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The fitrah is five things: circumcision, removing the pubic hair, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails, and plucking the armpit hairs.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

And Anas radhi Allaahu anhu  said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam set a time limit for us to cut our moustaches, cut our nails, pluck our armpit hairs and shave our pubic hairs: we were not to leave it any longer than FORTY DAYS.” (Muslim)

Shaikh Abdur Rahman ibn Nasr Al-Barrak was asked:

What is the verdict on wearing artificial fingernails and 

eyelashes? 

Is this act considered among the acts of joining false hair with real hair? 

He said;

“Adding synthetic fingernails disagrees with the sunnah and (fitrah) natural disposition. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

There are five things among the Fitrah:

Following these words, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam mentioned  clipping the fingernails. 

Also Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  mentioned when the nails must be clipped; and that they shouldn’t grow unclipped beyond forty days. Intentionally extending the fingernails causes a person to resemble an animal or disbeliever. 

This act is disfeaturing for a woman and not beauty. 

When a woman adds fake nails this shows she has a  corrupt fitrah and decreased intellect. 

Similarly, adding synthetic eyelashes resembles the disbelievers and is  among the acts of joining false hair with real hair.

 I consider both of these actions to be impermissible.”

And Allah knows best.