Islamic marriage advice and family advice

Controversy of Nail Polish, Wudu, Salah

wudu

Allah loves purity

Assalmualaikum Brothers/Sisters,

I want to know if it is haram/invalid if nail polish is on while making wudu/praying salah. There has been a lot of controversy. I would like your opinions and also some references from imams/quran/hadith.

This question is not for me, but for my sister who says it is not right but I (a brother) am in between right and wrong.

I don't want to wear it, but I would like to know the answer because I like topics where there is a controversy such as music/etc.

Jazakallah and May Allah guide us to the right path, Ameen.

-Deadelas1


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19 Responses »

  1. Deadelas1, wa alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah,

    We are not a fatwa service. We provide advice on marriage and family issues. That said, as far as I can tell the issue in question (doing wudu' with nail polish on) is not controversial: the scholars agree that it is not permissible and such a wudu' is not valid. Anything that prohibits water from reaching the skin must be removed before wudu', whether it is paint, tape, superglue, makeup or nail polish.

    See this fatwa, for example, by Shaykah Ahmed Kutty. There are many similar fatwas by other scholars:

    Offering Prayer Wearing Nail Polish

    Wael
    IslamicAnswers.com Editor

    • Nails are not skin.
      So the whole sentence make no sense.

      And some times sources paste inn that sentence, but then adds nails, nail polish etc...
      But thats translations and "editorial" additions.

      So what does the Quran actually say about it?
      (Not translations or ed additions).

      Personally i think its rubbish to invalidate wuduu, and then invalidates prayers. It is if there is some evil God who tries to make people Fail!.

      Have sex? Full wuduu...
      Healthy sexlife with wife? Full wuduu several times a day...

      Its hard enough to find time and space for the 5 prayers a day, at some very inconvinient times.
      But add alot of wuduus...
      And if you miss a small place it supposedly gets all invalidated...

      That just seem to insane.

      One could also say that if done full wuduu before put on nail polish, then that wuduu under the nail polish can last for longer time. (The nail polish is also a layer against filth reaching to the nail;)

      But heard rumors that there are some few scholars that allows nail polish.
      Its sad when requirements get so detailed hindersome, that people has to start with fishing for diffrent scholars.. (It leads to a bad trend. But it is just as much the strict fundament scholars fault for unnecesary being to difficult to often).

  2. This is not a fatwa place, but nail polish is controversial. Maybe not for a man, but for a woman yes.

    There are new water permeable nail polishes supposedly, so they should be technically able to do wudu with it if it does what is does.

    I do t know brother, I love nail polish myself. I have a hard time with this topic too. At times, I think Allah doesn't care for such petty things as long as you are sincere but Allah knows best because I do want my prayers to be accepted.

    Research it. I am not convinced that nail polish is haram, because when I wash my hand it's clean. It doesn't say water has to touch every cell. It's clean. What about tayamum then?

    If you want to be safe, stick to henna, although that is very messy. But stick to it to be safe.

    • Hi Samira

      I have reply for 4th paragraph in your comment above,

      If you not convinced that nail polish is haram means consult your local imam,

      Coming to the tayamum that you pointed out in the same paragraph
      Tayamum has some rules to take it, it is mentioned below, you don't compare this with nail polish

      1. Not enough water is available for Wudhu or Ghusl.
      2. Obtaining water for Wudhu will endanger your life or property or you are unable to procure water by any means.
      3. Using the available water will leave insufficient water for drinking and pose a risk of dying of thirst or illness, or difficulty for yourself or your dependents.
      4. Washing your face and hands with water will endanger your health.
      5. Water is available but you do not have permission to use it.
      6. There is a risk that performing Wudhu or Ghusl will cause the time of the entire or a part of the prayer to end.
      7. If the body or clothing is ritually impure (Najis) and the person possesses only as much water so that if he was to perform Wudhu or a Ghusl, no more water would be available for making his body or clothing pure for prayer.

      -Yousuf

  3. ASSALAMALAIKUM SAMIRA & Deadelas1
    I think Allah doesn't care for such petty things as long as you are sincere...THIS IS YR DELUSION - YOU ARE NAMING DISOBEDIENCE AS YOU LIKE-
    ANSWER-YOU KNOW WHAT IS SINCERITY IN ISLAM-
    “Ad-Deen is sincerity”. We said: “For whom?” He replied, “For Allah, His Book, His Messenger...
    1. Sincerity for Allah-Sincerity for Allah here means that one must have true faith in Him and He should be worshipped with full devotion and sincerity
    2. Sincerity for Qur’an:Sincerity for the Qur’an means that one should confirm its truth with one’s full heart and mind, recite it regularly, act upon the injunctions contained in it with meticulous care and strictly avoid its misinterpretation.
    3. Sincerity for Prophet-Sincerity of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) means sincere confirmation of his Prophethood, faithful obedience of his orders and adherence to his Sunnah.

    Nail polish today is a refined version of the paint on vehicles. Most nail polishes are made of nitrocellulose dissolved in a solvent (e.g. butyl acetate or ethyl acetate) and either left clear or colored with various pigments. Basic components include: film forming agents (silver halide), resins and plasticizers, solvents, and coloring agents. Adhesive polymers
    SEE THIS ADHERES TO THE NAILS SURFACE-
    (e.g. tosylamide-formaldehyde resin) ensure that the nitrocellulose adheres to the nail's surface
    THE THINGS WHICH YOU ARE THINKING IS PETTY THAT ONE NAIL POLISH IS THE CAUSE OF YOUR- SALAH BEING NOT ACCEPTED -BECASUE THE WATER IS USED IN ABLUSTION AND THIS SENTENCE IS EQUAL TO QUESTIONING ALLAH FOR THE OPTION HE GAVE AS THAYAMUM-AND THE WORD CELL IS LIKE TAUNTING THE RULES ALLAH MADE IN GHUSUL COMMANDED OF ALLAH-
    It doesn't say water has to touch every cell. It's clean. What about tayamum then?
    . It's clean.WHERE IS IT CLEAN THE NAILS ARE COVERED WITH A COATING OF LAYER OF COSMETIC AND IT IS ALSO A FASHION TRADITION OF BON MUSLIMS-AND IT MAKES YOUR GHUSUL INVALID AND THEN THE WADU-AND SALAH IS IS INVALID WITHOUT THESE TWO-
    WHERE IS THE QUESTION OF SALAH BEING ACCEPTED WITHOUT GHUSUL AND FOLLOWED BY WADU BOTH BEING INVALID- WE CANNOT BECOME WISE BY RAISING WRONG QUESTIONS AND TAUNTING THE PROCESS BE IT GHUSUL WADU OR TAYAMUM WHICH IS THE AUTHORITY OF ALLAH TO LEGISLATE WHAT HE WILLS-WE AS HIS SERVANTS HAVE TO BOW AND ACCEPT AND NOT USE OUR FOWL BRAIN AND QUESTION THE AUTHORITY OF ALLAH-
    BEFORE QUESTIONING THE AUTHORITY OF ALLAH WE MUST KNOW ISLAM REJECTS THINGS WHICH ARE HARMFUL-
    THE EFFECTS OF NAIL POLISH INGREDIENTS......
    Painted nails may look glamorous, but ingredients in nail polish could have negative health effects. Some ingredients used in nail polish have been linked to cancer, heart problems, reproductive abnormalities, thyroid disorders and allergies, according to Sonya Lunder, M.P.H., a toxins researcher and senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research and watchdog organization in Washington, D.C.
    Toluene
    The FDA reports that toluene is used as a solvent in nail polish, which means it helps dissolve other ingredients. It also gives the polish a smooth finish across the nail and keeps the color uniform on the nail, adds Lunder.

    Because toluene is released into the air, you could breathe in the fumes. This could result in nervous system problems, irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs, and possibly reproductive abnormalities, according to the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance.
    Say Hello to Good Health.....
    Nail polish poisoningEmail this page to a friendShare on facebookShare on twitterBookmark & SharePrinter-friendly version
    This poisoning is from swallowing or breathing in (inhaling) nail polish.

    This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

    Poisonous Ingredient Toluene-Butyl acetate-Ethyl acetate-Dibutyl phthalate
    Where Found
    Various fingernail polishes
    Symptoms
    Bladder and kidneys
    Increased need to urinate
    Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
    Eye irritation and possible eye damage
    Gastrointestinal
    Nausea
    Vomiting
    Abdominal pain
    Heart and blood circulation
    Chest pain
    Irregular heart beat
    Lungs
    Difficulty breathing
    Slowed breathing rate
    Shortness of breath
    Nervous system
    Drowsiness
    Balance problems
    Coma
    Euphoria
    Hallucinations
    Seizures
    Stupor
    Walking difficulties

    REGARDS

    • Assalaamu Alaykum,

      Masha Allah Wonderful Reply, Then What about Araqh? Is it permissable

      Hope to hearing from you soon

      Jazakk Allahu Khair

      Fi Aman Allah

      Was Salaam!

    • Thank you brother, I am aware of the chemicals in the nail polish. And the caps are a bit blinding and difficult to read, it's like text yelling, it can be perceived as being rude. But you are lucky I am not so sensitive, just letting you know.

      I just want to know the original source of Hadith or Quran that says every part must be washed. Thats all. I am not saying it doesn't exist, I just want to see it.

      Because a lot of the replies to nail polish just mention this fact that you need to wash your hands, but don't add any text about every single inch of your skin must be touching the water. I am curious that's all.

      For example. Like washing the face during wudu. Did the prophet mention anywhere that you must scrub the kohl off your eyes, because he did wear it. But when people wash their face, they take it as a general wash your face. But with hands, it's like no..you didn't wash your hands because your nails have some polish on them.

      Just because things have become popular belief, it doesn't mean that I can't look into it and think with my own mind and question and get answers.

      Thanks.

  4. Assalaamualaikam

    My understanding is that nail polish would need to be removed prior to wudu. As Ali Yousuff as mentioned, there are lots of unpleasant chemicals in nail polish (and a lot of make-up) so my preference is to avoid these products. However, some sisters wear nail polish to parties or special occasions, and just take it off prior to wudu.

    Throughout history, women have felt the need to expose themselves to all kinds of nasty things (arsenic face powder, for example) in an effort to conform to social expectations of beauty. One thing I love about being a Muslim woman is that we have freedom from that oppression and guidance that emphasises our worth as individual people with minds of our own, rather than being judged by our hairstyle or makeup or body shape.

    Midnightmoon
    IslamicAnswers.com editor

  5. There is a water permeable nail polish available called O2M made by a polish company(INGLOT) and available on the internet. It contains no shellac, wears away faster, but has been approved by an imam in USA. There was an article in Dawn regarding this polish and wudu. Here are some updates:

    http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/worship/prayer/is-breathable-nail-polish-sufficient-for-wu%E1%B8%8Du/

    Hope this may be helpful.

  6. Assalamoalaikum,

    Although I completely understand and respect the enthusiasm of respondents, I would very much encourage Samira to keep searching for the answers. You are taking an excellent route! Everyone HAS the right to ask! And our duty (if we understand or perform rightly) is to help them get the right answer (Until the person is satisfied). To me, 'faith' is all personal. If you have even a tint of doubt in the farthest corner of your mind, you can't delve yourself into faith. Its the purity of thought that works and Samira is simply trying to attain it.

    No one is perfect but Allah! And we all stick to our (or someone else's interpretations of signs and words). To swim the sea of doubt and land onto a small island of our own is the only salvation. There are no continents but clusters of islands joined together through bridges of compassion. I hope I am not getting too philosophical here.

    Allah may not address clusters on the judgment day. He will speak to you personally and inquire about all the luxuries of life and how and what you used those for (Al Takasur). The only thing you should aim for is to be prepared to answer. That will not be a word game (like our worldly courts of law) but a rather eye-to-eye contact that will bring guilty and shame for all wrongdoers (at a very personal level as others may be busy worrying for their own deeds).

    Keep searching Samira. The prophet searched for 40 years and ultimately found what he was looking for. The archangel will descend no more to address individuals but our creator has sent, through our beloved Muhammad, a wonderful gift that answers everything. Just pay attention and look closer. I assure you will find (even though by putting certain pieces together). The only fault on our part is that we always want someone else to cook for us. Put your faith in your finding and stick to that. You just don't want to be ashamed on that day and only faith will protect you for He knows and understands more than anyone.

    The world, as we see it, is nothing but an illusion created to test our faithful vision.

    May Allah bless us all and give us strength and faith to find the right path.

    • "Keep searching Samira. The prophet searched for 40 years and ultimately found what he was looking for. The archangel will descend no more to address individuals..."

      It's just a question about nail polish, brother. Not some epic quest for the answer to life, the universe and everything.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  7. Assalaamu Alaika. The scholars are all clear on this topic. All 4 main schools have said that it must be removed when making wudu. We need to stop manipulation in order to justify and Imams need to stop giving out green light passes for the sake of debate. Attention: wudu over the socks has been allowed under certain conditions that must be met. It has been given as a mercy for various reasons to both sexes. You may be rushing back to work or may be praying outside in unpleasant grounds. Please stop making what is halal equivalent to what is doubtful. They had henna for nails during the time of the Prophet ( sas ), however, the women didn't wear it during wudu or in public. The answer is before our faces. The women didn't wear it during wudu during the time of the Prophet ( sas ) obviously because they knew that it was not something wise to do. Follow the example of the Prophet's wives, not a modern man if you are still confused on a simple issue that we know from the example from the Mother's of The Believers. If not the answer you are content with, I pray at least another perspective. Salaams and have a blessed Ramadan.

  8. 🙂

  9. Only Allah will decide who's prays are accepted and whom he chooses too ignore.

    Wearing nail vanish will not cause a person's heart mind body and soul to be less closer to Allah SWA. Prayers will be answered by Allah alone.

    I have prayed salat on many occasions will nail vanish on, and I can
    Honestly say that I am very spiritual individual and many of times during Zikhar and mediation for Allah I have had the most amazing dreams. The miracles of Dua have been fulfilled and I say miracles as it has been more than what I had hoped for. I wake up every morning knowing that Allah is protecting me is with me and will never stop guiding me. It's all in your heart. Never judge a person on there outwordly appearance as you never know the persons soul. Only Allah does.

    If you feel close to Allah then a little nail vanish will not come I between you and Allah.
    Comparing ourselves to lives of the prophets wives will not do us any justice. Have a clean pure Imaan, heart and soul. Never lie cheat or hurt anyone. Be truthfull to yourself as well as others. Earn a halal living.
    Help the needy. Give generously with an open heart and expect anything in return.

    Nail vanish was not invented in those days. If women were allowed to adorn themselves in fine clothing and oils as perfumes then women in modern times should not be questioned/mocked on mere makeup now.

    • Thanks furious tyon i agree with your answer

    • You're deluding yourself and others to what is wrong. The line between right and wrong is clear, and your "I thinks" are based really on emotions more than proofs from the Qur’an and sunnah.

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