Question:
Is there any specific method for cutting nails.? When cutting nails, they say that on the right hand one should start with the index finger, cut up to the little finger, then move to the left hand, cut those fingers, come to the thumb, and then cut in a specific sequence like this.
Answer:
They are asking whether there is any such method prescribed for cutting nails. As far as cutting nails is concerned, many methods have been mentioned. In some books—especially books related to manners—such methods have been written. In earlier times, in Muslim towns, the barbers were Muslims. When they did barber work, they would also cut nails. Through them, these ideas spread—cut like this, then like this, then like this, and finally in some particular method. They would say, “This is the Sunnah.” When we were small children, through these barbers these ideas spread, and people began to think that there must be a specific method for cutting nails and started following it.
Regarding nail cutting, for example, Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen (who passed away in 1421 AH) wrote that there is an order for cutting nails. But he did not provide evidence; he simply stated it. A prominent scholar among the Salaf mentioned that one should begin with the right hand, before the left, and start with a particular finger in a specific order, then move to the left hand starting from the thumb and proceed in a certain pattern. He wrote that this is the method of cutting nails.
Just as he thought and wrote, others also thought differently and wrote differently. There are many superstitions regarding nail cutting. There is no specific method mentioned in the religion about which nail to cut first, second, or next. There is no such order prescribed. One may cut them in whatever way is convenient.
The only thing mentioned in the religion is that nails should be cut. It is part of the practice of Prophetﷺ Ibrahim (Abraham), and it has been passed down from him. The Messengerﷺ of Allahﷻ said that among the five practices of fitrah (natural disposition) are: removing pubic hair, removing armpit hair, cutting nails, and trimming the moustache. This is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5889).
The Messengerﷺ of Allahﷻ also set a time limit regarding cutting nails, trimming the moustache, removing armpit hair, and removing pubic hair. The maximum period is forty days. It should not exceed forty days. It is not forbidden to cut earlier; one may even cut daily. But one should not leave it beyond forty days. This is mentioned in Sahih Muslim.
As for the idea that cut nails must be buried properly in the ground, there is no authentic evidence for this. Some narrations mention burying nails, but they are weak. In works like al-Tabarani’s al-Kabir and al-Bayhaqi’s Shu’ab al-Iman, such narrations exist, but the chains contain weak or unreliable narrators. Therefore, there is no authentic proof requiring nails or hair to be buried. One may dispose of them in any permissible way—throw them in running water, the sea, a river, or the trash. There is no rule that they must be buried like a funeral.
Similarly, there is no authentic evidence that nails must be cut specifically on Friday. Some narrations mention that the Prophetﷺ used to cut his nails and trim his moustache on Friday before going for Jumu‘ah prayer, but these narrations are weak due to unreliable narrators. Scholars have clarified that no authentic report establishes a specific day or method for nail cutting.
In summary: there is no authentic evidence specifying a particular day, method, or order for cutting nails. The only clear ruling is that nails should not be left uncut beyond forty days.
Some people also say that if a person is in a state requiring ritual bath (ghusl), such as after marital relations, they should not cut nails or hair before bathing, claiming that the state of impurity “remains” on the nails or hair. This is incorrect. The obligation of ghusl applies to the person, not to the hair or nails once removed. There is no ruling that cut hair or nails “remain impure” or will be questioned. There is no authentic basis for this claim.
For example, when Aisha (Mother of Believers) was menstruating during Hajj, the Prophetﷺ instructed her to untie and comb her hair. This is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 316, 317, 1556, 1783, 1786 and others). If combing hair during menstruation was allowed, and hair would naturally fall out while combing, this shows that such ideas about impurity attaching to removed hair or nails have no basis.
Therefore, apart from the maximum limit of forty days, there are no specific rules about nail cutting in Islamic law.