Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu alaykum!

I was wondering if Acrylic nails (fake nails, not too long) on women are permitted?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Fake nails lawful

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Islam has prohibited the believing women from artificially lengthening their hair, creating uniform gaps in their teeth, tattoos, plucking their eye-brow hairs, etc…..but to the best of our knowledge there is nothing in the authentic and established Sunnah which prohibits the believing woman from attaching fake nails, if she wishes to do so.

The believing woman who chooses to attach fake nails for any reason must make sure that when doing the wudu or ablution for prayer, it is absolutely obligatory for water to reach every part of her hand….thus if the fake nails prevent water from reaching her nails, she should remove those fake nails when performing the ablution.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan