Prohibition on Cutting Nails and Hair Before the Sacrifice: How Many Days? Here's the Explanation
One of the acts of worship highly encouraged in the month of Dzulhijjah is the sacrifice. This worship is performed from the tenth day (Eid al-Adha) through to the thirteenth of Dzulhijjah. The sacrifice is not only carried out by slaughtering an animal but is also accompanied by various rules, such as the prohibition on cutting nails and hair beforehand.
Based on an article entitled Contemplating Who Would Cut Nails When Entering the Zulhijjah Month: A Hadith Perspective by Nabil et al., the rule about cutting nails and hair for those who will perform the sacrifice originates from Sahih Muslim, narrated by Umm Salamah. The hadith states that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, forbade cutting nails and hair for those who intend to offer a sacrifice until after they have offered the sacrifice. This hadith is authentic but has several interpretations among scholars.
The question is: how many days before the sacrifice is the prohibition on cutting nails and hair applicable? And what are the consequences if one violates this rule? Read the explanation below, summarised from the aforementioned article, NU Online, and Islam QA.
How Many Days Before the Sacrifice Is the Prohibition on Cutting Nails and Hair?
The basis for the prohibition on cutting nails and hair before the sacrifice includes a hadith from Sahih Muslim no. 1977, narrated by Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her. In that hadith, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
“When the ten days of Dzulhijjah have begun and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him not take any hair or nails from him until he sacrifices.”
This hadith is classified as sahih and is recorded in Sahih Muslim. Umm Salamah, the main narrator, was a companion and wife of the Prophet Muhammad, with high credibility.
The wording of the hadith contains an imperative not to cut nails or hair, applicable only to the person who will sacrifice. The command applies from the sighting of the Hilal of Dzulhijjah (the first of Dzulhijjah), but there are opinions that the command begins from the 10th of Dzulhijjah.
The end date of this prohibition is when the sacrificial animal is slaughtered. The sacrifice can be slaughtered up to Tasyrik days, so the deadline for not cutting nails or hair can extend to the Tasyrik day.
With the government through the Ijtimat (in this context, the Mujtahid committee) establishing 1 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH on Monday, 18 May 2026, the list of days on which nails and hair must not be cut are:
Monday, 18 May 2026 / 1 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Tuesday, 19 May 2026 / 2 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Wednesday, 20 May 2026 / 3 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Thursday, 21 May 2026 / 4 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Friday, 22 May 2026 / 5 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Saturday, 23 May 2026 / 6 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Sunday, 24 May 2026 / 7 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Monday, 25 May 2026 / 8 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Tuesday, 26 May 2026 / 9 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Wednesday, 27 May 2026 / 10 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Thursday, 28 May 2026 / 11 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Friday, 29 May 2026 / 12 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
Saturday, 30 May 2026 / 13 Dzulhijjah 1447 AH
The end date necessarily depends on the day the owner of the sacrifice slaughters the animal. Wallahu a’lam bish-shawab.
Lawful to Cut Nails and Hair Before the Sacrifice
Although the hadith contains an imperative, the prohibition does not automatically mean a haram act. Some scholars consider cutting nails and hair in the hadith to be haram, but others have deemed it makruh (disliked). Here are the opinions on cutting nails and hair before the sacrifice according to various madhabs.
- Haram Opinion
One of the scholars who forbids cutting nails and hair is Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the standard bearer of the Hanbali madhab. He argues that the prohibition on cutting nails and hair for one who will sacrifice must be obeyed absolutely. Violating this prohibition incurs sin, but not kaffarah (expiation).
In line with Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hazm also holds that violation of this prohibition is haram, and obedience to this prohibition is as obligatory as the prohibition on cutting hair and nails for those in ihram.
Moreover, Ishaq bin Rawaih, Abi Dawud, and some Shafi’i scholars also hold that cutting nails and hair before the sacrifice is haram. The prohibition applies until the sacrificial animal is slaughtered.
- Makruh and Mustahab (Very Desirable/Recommended)
Scholars from the Shafi’i madhab hold that this prohibition is only makruh tanzih. In other words, the action is strongly discouraged to avoid, but the doer does not incur sin.
As for Imam Malik, in some narrations he states that abstaining from cutting hair and nails before the sacrifice is mustahab (highly desirable). However, in other narrations he says the action is not makruh.
- Mubah Opinion
Unlike the previous two, Abu Hanifah argues that the act of cutting nails and hair on entering the 10th of Dzulhijjah is mubah, meaning it is not makruh and not haram, so it is permissible.
Consequences of Cutting Nails and Hair Before the Sacrifice
The prohibition on cutting nails and hair applies only to the person who will perform the sacrifice. The consequences of this prohibition depend on the madhab followed.
If one follows scholars who regard cutting nails and hair before the sacrifice as makruh or mubah, then a person who does it does not incur sin. But if one follows the Hanbali madhab, then the act of cutting hair and nails would incur sin.
This aligns with the view of Ibn al-Qudamah who states that cutting hair and nails before the sacrifice will incur sin. However, a person who breaks this rule only needs to repent and seek forgiveness from Allah. The sacrifice of that person remains valid, and there is no need to pay fidyah, whether they did so intentionally or unintentionally.
Wisdom Behind the Prohibition on Cutting Nails and Hair Before the Sacrifice
Imam An-Nawawi explains that the wisdom of the command not to cut hair.