Q 1: What is the ruling on letting the nails grow long?

A: It is not permissible to let one's nails grow long because this goes against Sunan-ul-Fitrah (natural hygiene) which the Prophet (peace upon him) has exhorted us to regularly practice. Clipping the nails is one of Sunan-ul-Fitrah. It also comprises plucking the armpit hair, shaving the pubic hair, and cutting the moustache short. This should be done every forty days at most, according to the Hadith related by Muslim in his Sahih on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: He (peace be upon him) set a time limit for us to trim our moustaches, cut our nails, pluck our armpit hair, and shave our pubic hair; we should not leave any of this for more than forty days. Therefore, those women, who practice this bad habit, should repent to Allah (Exalted be He) and abstain from it, because it goes against the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah - legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.