In it, he says: I trimmed my nails on the eighth day in Mina while in the state of ihram, because I believed that the only prohibited act was cutting hair, as that is what is often mentioned, and that trimming nails is not a problem. However, a person pointed it out to me—may Allah reward him with good—but he was very strict with me, saying that I must return to the miqat or to Makkah al-Mukarramah to enter ihram again. Is this correct, and what is obligatory for me? May Allah guide you.
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The questioner : These are questions we received from the listener Saud Muhammad al-Ahmadi from al-Hufuf. In it, he says: I trimmed my nails on the eighth day in Mina while in the state of ihram, because I believed that the only prohibited act was cutting hair, as that is what is often mentioned, and that trimming nails is not a problem. However, a person pointed it out to me—may Allah reward him with good—but he was very strict with me, saying that I must return to the miqat or to Makkah al-Mukarramah to enter ihram again. Is this correct, and what is obligatory for me? May Allah guide you.
The Shaykh : You owe nothing for cutting your nails, because you cut them while believing that there was no harm in it. Whoever does any of the prohibitions of ihram while ignorant, forgetful, or coerced owes nothing. There is no difference between removing hair, trimming nails, using perfume, wearing sewn clothing, or other things; they are all on the same level. If a person does any of the prohibitions of ihram while ignorant, forgetful, or coerced, he owes nothing.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:286] This is general. And based on His saying the Exalted: [Al-Ahzab 33:5] This is general. And based on His saying the Exalted regarding the coerced: [An-Nahl 16:106] So if the one coerced into disbelief, which is the greatest of the prohibitions, owes nothing, then what is less than that among the prohibitions is even more so.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1155 And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Abi Dawud 441Sahih (Al-Albani) And He the Exalted said specifically regarding hunting in ihram: [Al-Ma'idah 5:95] From these texts and other texts, we benefit that doing a prohibited act in any act of worship, if it stems from forgetfulness or ignorance, entails no blame and does not affect the worship in any way.
And Mu'awiyah ibn al-Hakam (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke during his prayer while ignorant, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not order him to repeat the prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The conclusion is that this person who trimmed his nails on the eighth day owes nothing at all. As for the one who issued a fatwa that he must return to the miqat or to Makkah and enter ihram from there, this is an invalid fatwa with no basis. I warn here and on every occasion, I warn the Muslims, students of knowledge and others, not to speak in fatwas unless they have a Sharia'ah basis.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because this is a serious matter, and the mufti is expressing what Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has decreed in what he has issued as a fatwa. Yes.
The Shaykh : You owe nothing for cutting your nails, because you cut them while believing that there was no harm in it. Whoever does any of the prohibitions of ihram while ignorant, forgetful, or coerced owes nothing. There is no difference between removing hair, trimming nails, using perfume, wearing sewn clothing, or other things; they are all on the same level. If a person does any of the prohibitions of ihram while ignorant, forgetful, or coerced, he owes nothing.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.
ربنا لا تؤاخذنا إن نسينا أو أخطأناAnd there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended
وليس عليكم جناح فيما أخطأتم به ولكن ما تعمدت قلوبكمWhoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief... except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath
من كفر بالله من بعد إيمانه إلا من أكره وقلبه مطمئن بالإيمان ولكن من شرح بالكفر صدرا فعليهم غضبThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his fast
من نسي وهو صائم فأكل أو شرب فليتم صومهThere is no remissness in sleep
ليس في النوم تفريطAnd whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed
ومن قتله منكم متعمدا فجزاء مثل ما قتل من النعمAnd Mu'awiyah ibn al-Hakam (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke during his prayer while ignorant, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not order him to repeat the prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The conclusion is that this person who trimmed his nails on the eighth day owes nothing at all. As for the one who issued a fatwa that he must return to the miqat or to Makkah and enter ihram from there, this is an invalid fatwa with no basis. I warn here and on every occasion, I warn the Muslims, students of knowledge and others, not to speak in fatwas unless they have a Sharia'ah basis.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because this is a serious matter, and the mufti is expressing what Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has decreed in what he has issued as a fatwa. Yes.