353. Is Nail Polish Allowed?

By Asma bint Shameem 

*I know if I wear nail polish, my Salaah is not valid.*

*But what about the new ‘halaal, breathable/permeable nail polish’?*

*Is that allowed?*

 *ANSWER*

For Salaah to be valid, one of the conditions is to have wudhu and *wash* all the relevant parts *completely* and *properly*. 

If there’s anything that *prevents* water from reaching any of the body parts that are to be washed in wudhu, then the wudhu would *not* be valid. 

And if wudhu is not valid, then salaah is not valid either. 

We all know that regular nail polish does NOT let water reach the nails because it forms an impermeable film or layer over the nails which prevents water from reaching the nails underneath. 

So wearing nail polish will not be allowed when you have to make wudhu for prayer. 

But what about the new “halaal ‘breathable/permeable’ nail polish”?

Is it really water permeable?

When we look into the matter closely, we’ll realize that this kind of nail polish does NOT let water through. 

In fact it’s completely IMPERMEABLE.... the exact OPPOSITE of what they claim!

And even if it DID let some ‘moisture’ seep through, although it _doesn’t_, it STILL would not be ok to use, if we want *proper* and *correct* wudhu. 

It’s not enough if the part to be washed is just ‘moist’. 

Allaah has ordered us to WASH the body parts. 

Allaah says:

“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salaah, WASH your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles” 

(Surah al-Maa’idah :6)

And Abdullaah ibn Amr radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam stayed behind us on a journey and then caught up with us, and we were late in praying Asr. We started doing wudhu and *wiping* out feet, and he called out at the top of his voice: “Woe to the heels from the fire” two or three times.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

This shows that ‘wiping’ or just making it ‘moist’ is not enough. 

The body parts have to be WASHED with water. 

And since this breathable/permeable nail polish does not let water reach the nails, then it would NOT be allowed to wear it for making wudhu. 

Water would NOT reach the nails. 

And wudhu would NOT be valid. 

And don’t be fooled by the word “halaal” attached to it. 

It’s just a sales gimmick. 

What does ‘halaal’ nail polish mean anyway?

Maybe they didn't use "pork" related products to make it and that's why they're calling it "halaal"?

But it's not like we're going to EAT it!

In any case, that does NOT make it OK for us to apply it on our nails.

 *Alternative*:

You can color your nails with Henna if you like. 

Henna is *different* from nail polish because nail polish COATS the nails with a water-impermeable film while Henna colors the nail ITSELF. 

There’s no ‘film’ or ‘coating’ that covers the nails when using Henna. 

 Dear sisters, 

I know that as women, we like to color our nails. 

But if wearing nail polish would put our Salaah in question, why would we want to jeopardize something SO important?

After all, it’s our SALAAH we’re talking about!

Isn’t Salaah the FIRST thing we’ll be asked about when we stand in front of our Rabb?

And if the Salaah is valid, then only will anything else count. 

Otherwise, NOTHING will be of any value if Salaah is lacking. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"The *first* matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the *Salaah*. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." 

(al-Tabarani - saheeh by al-Albaani)

Another point to note is how Allaah is addressing the people in the Aayah about wudhu. 

Did you notice the words?

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala said:

* “O you who believe*! When you intend to offer As-Salaah, WASH your faces and your hands....”

He said 
"*يا ايهـاالذين آمنو*"

“O YOU who *BELIEVE*....”

In other words, if we TRULY believe in Allaah and His beautiful religion, we HAVE to follow the instructions that come AFTER "يا ايهـاالذين آمنو"

“O you who believe!” 

And in this particular case, that order is to WASH ourselves with water when making wudhu, and to make sure that every part is washed according to the Divine instructions. 

And if we don’t give much importance to these instructions, Aa’oodhu Billaah, we need to take a serious look at our Imaan and the state of our heart....

*Last but not the least*:

Besides all of the above, my sister....

No one even really notices if the ends of your fingers are red or pink or purple. 

Or painted.

Or not. 

And quite frankly, no one really cares.

It’s just our *own* desire and perception. 

Nothing else. 

So don’t lose your Salaah just for some petty issue such as nail polish.

*It’s just not worth it.*