What is the evidence that cutting the nails during Hajj is among the prohibited acts?
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The questioner : Cutting the nails during Hajj is among the prohibited acts of Hajj.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Is there any evidence for this? The truth is, I recall that what I told him was that it is well known that cutting the nails during Hajj is a matter of luxury, and this is, of course, among the prohibited acts, or rather, it is something through which the wisdom, or some of the wisdom, of Hajj is not realized. Then, there is perhaps another evidence, or a general textual evidence in this specific issue, which is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1977e, and this is, of course, intended so that one sacrifices, as it came in the hadith.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : The ruling is intended to be that one imitates or follows those pilgrims who perform their Hajj and its rites in the rituals of Hajj. I mentioned this, so I would like to ask here—also—whether this serves as evidence or not.
The Shaykh : By Allah, I was also asked this question, and my answer was very brief: that I could not recall the answer. Yes, and the matter is delicate and requires review. As for what you mentioned, that cutting the nails is a matter of luxury, and Hajj is not like that, this does not, in my opinion, stand as evidence for the prohibition of cutting nails for the pilgrim. This is because we have in the authentic Sunnah what permits the one in ihram to take a bath, as it is said today, and there is no doubt that in this bathing there is something of luxury, especially if the weather is hot and the water is cold. So, without doubt, he finds some comfort. This does not contradict the comfort of the pilgrim, for we worship by what Allah has commanded us, or we draw near to Him by abstaining from what Allah has forbidden. And as you know, expanding the scope of restriction and prohibition on people through analogy is a matter that involves some difficulty and harshness.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Is there any evidence for this? The truth is, I recall that what I told him was that it is well known that cutting the nails during Hajj is a matter of luxury, and this is, of course, among the prohibited acts, or rather, it is something through which the wisdom, or some of the wisdom, of Hajj is not realized. Then, there is perhaps another evidence, or a general textual evidence in this specific issue, which is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
he should not get his hair cut and nails trimmed
مَن أراد منكم أن يضحِّيَ فليُمسِكْ عن شعره وأظفارهThe Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : The ruling is intended to be that one imitates or follows those pilgrims who perform their Hajj and its rites in the rituals of Hajj. I mentioned this, so I would like to ask here—also—whether this serves as evidence or not.
The Shaykh : By Allah, I was also asked this question, and my answer was very brief: that I could not recall the answer. Yes, and the matter is delicate and requires review. As for what you mentioned, that cutting the nails is a matter of luxury, and Hajj is not like that, this does not, in my opinion, stand as evidence for the prohibition of cutting nails for the pilgrim. This is because we have in the authentic Sunnah what permits the one in ihram to take a bath, as it is said today, and there is no doubt that in this bathing there is something of luxury, especially if the weather is hot and the water is cold. So, without doubt, he finds some comfort. This does not contradict the comfort of the pilgrim, for we worship by what Allah has commanded us, or we draw near to Him by abstaining from what Allah has forbidden. And as you know, expanding the scope of restriction and prohibition on people through analogy is a matter that involves some difficulty and harshness.
Source
www.al-albany.com
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