Nail Polish

Ladies use nail polish so that they may look beautiful. But in fact, all types of nail polish destroy the natural beauty of the nails. Allah (SWT) has spread a net of small arteries under the nails. Blood circulates constantly in these arteries, giving the nails a red tint. But when the nail polish is coated on the nails for a long time, they become ugly, colorless and rough. Women are also very fond of growing their nails like the beasts. For this purpose, they seem ready to face every type of difficulty. Seeing their absurd eagerness, different companies are earning a lot. They are producing artificial nails of different colors, which are fixed on real nails. This practice does not befit a Muslim lady because the Holy Prophet (SAW) ordered us to remove the nails and said that cutting nails is one of ten natural things. To grow nails is not an Islamic practice; it has NOTHING to do with Islamic culture and civilization. A Physician of Medical Center New York University said, "The use of nail polish makes nails hard, and the remover makes them harder, and ultimately they become brittle." If blood circulation decreases, the nails become thin, ugly and yellow. The Holy Prophet (SAW) had counted the practice of cutting nails among the ten natural things. A Muslim MUST believe that blessing lies within the limits described by the Prophet (SAW) and no doubt blessing is there. Doctor Saeed Rana observes that germs seek a shelter in long nails and they get themselves mixed in water and other eatables. The nail polish remover destroys the surface of the nails as it removes thin shells from the nails. The shine or luster of the nails also goes and nails become colorless and rough.

From Voice of Islam June 1999

Fatwa on Nail Polish

(2) Letting the fingernails grow is something that goes against the sunnah of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam). He said, ((From the acts of nature are five: circumcision, removing pubic hairs, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails and plucking the hair from under the armpits.)) It is not allowed to leave them for more than forty nights. This is based on the Hadeeth of Anas who said, "The Messenger of Allaah set a time limit for us for trimming the moustache, trimming nails, removing armpit hairs and removing pubic hairs. They cannot be left for more than forty nights." Letting them grow long resembles animals and some of the disbelievers. As for nail polish, it is better to avoid it. One must remove it when making ablution since it prevents water from reaching the nails.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah www.fatwa-online.com