I remember when my Saudi step-daughters visited me in the States for the first time. As part of a “Girls Day Out” I decided to take them to my favorite spa where we all got our hair done as well as had manicures and pedicures. They seemed to greatly enjoy the experience. However within minutes of getting home, I was shocked to see them immediately removing the polish from their newly polished fingers and toes. One of them had chosen a French manicure which took significant time to prepare and yet here she was removing it. When I questioned them if there were something wrong or if the polish was irritating them, they both responded “no, nothing is wrong but in our culture we are not allowed to wear nail polish and especially when we pray.” Naturally I wish I had known that before taking them out for manicures and pedicures; I would have tried to find another outlet for enjoyment. But at the same time, I wanted to respect their culture.
Now I have been in the Kingdom for a few years and must say I observe Saudi women and other muslim women who do indeed wear nail polish on the fingers and toes 24/7 with no thoughts of removing. Not only do they have perfectly manicured nails (and toes) but the nails may be quite long too and sometimes not even their own. So this made me think, what exactly does it say in Islam about nail polish? Is this viewed as an overt sign of vanity and not allowable? Does it violate islam or are there exceptions?
I turned to Islam Online as one resource to see what it says….
Now according to Islam Online nail polish is not haram although women are to remove it before washing themselves (making ablution/wudu) for prayer. And it is also viewed as an “ornament” so therefore should not be publicly displayed or rather a woman should not allow an unrelated man to be able to see either her hands or toes with nail polish.
On the other hand, Islam Q&A… sounds a little more lenient and allows a woman to retain her nail polish as long as she is able to wash under the nails when preparing for prayer. It makes no mention of nail polish being viewed as an ornament.
Yahoo Answers in turn provides responses from individuals who responded to the query on whether nail polish and manicures, pedicures are allowed in Islam. Since these responses are contributions, not surprisingly there are distinctions in answers…
So like many issues, there will be variations on responses and in some cases (many?) the responses will also be impacted by the culture and traditions of the land as well.
Filed under: culture, Dress, islam, religion, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Women Issues
Have you ever been told off for wearing nail polish…or lectured for it?
nail polish? seriously? It’s like instead of having holy orders where one can become a nun or monk, this is an entire religion populace of people who’ve, like, I don’t know.. taken orders. I guess I’m looking at this from a (recovering) Catholics viewpoint but if my religion required me to live my life like a nun…ugh. There wouldn’t be enough caves in the world for all the contemplatives or ascetics or hermits if we all had to be one. Okay, i really REALLY want to be understanding and tolerant, and overall I AM accepting of everyones religious beliefs but come on people. I can only imagine God up there rolling his eyes at all our ritualized nonsense. It’s GOD for heaven’s sake, he doesn’t care if you sit on a rock naked in the middle of disneyland, as long as you have right intent, right action, and right thought.
in my humble opinion… I’m sorry, and don’t want to offend, but it’s been a FRUSTRATING day and I can’t help but vent a little.
As for me the issue of wearing nail polish is not a cultural one but a religious one. As Carol mentioned before Muslims can pray we must make ablution and in order for that ablution to be correct certain parts of our bodies defined by God and his messenger must be touched by water. So while wearing nail polish the water doesn’t penetrate through to your nails and then your ablution would not be considered completed. Of course as Carol also mentioned nail polish its self is not forbidden in Islam and there are ways for women who like to wear it to do so. I personally will wear it while menstruating as ablution is not performed then. I will also wear it to parties and other functions but when it is time to make ablution then it comes off.
There are different opinions and some say if you had ablution when you applied the polish then there is no need to remove it to wash for prayer but I find this opinion not to be in line with the Quran and Sunnah.
However like anything in life Islam is a choice that one makes and we choose what we will follow and what we won’t. Some women choose not to cover themselves while others choose to cover themselves from head to toe. Everyday we make choices and for women who are not as serious or who find nail polish to be a trivial matter then they will do as they please.
Something I can’t say enough, just because Islam forbids something doesn’t mean as a Muslim we are forced to obey we have a choice in everything and the devotion amongst Muslims varies just like I am sure it does in all other religious.
I am somewhat surprised that you found any scholar who said it was ok to make wudhu (wash for prayers) with nail polish on. The water must touch those parts of the body that are supposed to be washed, and nail polish prevents the water from touching the nail. It’s that simple. If on the other hand you dye your nails with hennah, it is ok because the dye doesn’t prevent the water from touching the nail. (And as an added bonus, it doesn’t chip off like polish.)
Andrea, I am sorry that you have had a bad day, but really a Muslim woman’s life is really not as restricted as a nun’s. While we do behave more modestly in public, at home and with our female friends and family we get to enjoy our lives as we please, dressing up as we like, eating and drinking as we like, enjoying sex as we like. Very not nun like.
And, no offence intended, but as a Muslim I don’t think that God would consider sitting “on a rock naked in the middle of disneyland” as “right action,” and I am sure that the local police wouldn’t either!
ya know..that thought had occurred to me. lol. I know, I’m not being as rational as I usually like to be, and since I have no idea what a muslim womans entire life is like I shouldn’t assume. I’ve been having panic attacks today about various life/business issues and I guess it’s made me reactionary. My astrological chart even says I’m going to be combative until Thursday..
I thank you for addressing my silliness so politely.. I was somewhat braced for worse.
) Does water touching the under side of the nail count?
I remember learning this rationale for not allowing nail polish- that it prevents water from touching the nails. Yes, that sounds reasonable, but I cannot help but wonder whether this is another one of those rulings designed to dampen women’s natural tendency to adorn themselves.
Seems as though it is.
Now, if we are to accept this reasoning, why not take it a step further? Are we then to push back our cuticles to make sure the water reaches underneath? And how far? What about the natural oils on our hands? How are we to make sure that water will penetrate between the molecules of oil to dampen every cell of epidermis?
I’m sorry to sound facetious here. I do not wear nail polish, but sometimes I get impatient with some of these “rulings,”
especially when they concern products that hadn’t been in existence during the establishment of Islam.
Marham,
I want to see the text they base this on. I really do not know of any direct Islamic text that specifically requires touching the nail. Actually the concept of washing before prayer is focused on being clean when at the presence of Allah. That does include the body parts that are washed and clothes. Islam is usually a practical religion and nail polish on finger nails does not necessarily mean unclean condition of the nails.
There is even more evidence to support that cleanse does not mean water has to touch parts of the body in every case. Here are examples:
- In the case of lack of water. Tayamom is accepted. Which is using Sand to clean the body. What happens in this case there are parts like the mouth, the nose and the hair are not cleaned with sand for obvious reasons. Supports the idea of practicality of the religion.
The assumption here that the arm was clean when the cast was put on.
- When a person breaks an arm and has a cast on. It is sufficient to rub water on the cast not on the skin. I know this is acceptable for a fact as I had plenty of broken bones growing up
- Islam has rules called Masah 3alla Al 7′oof. Al7′oof is a specialized boots that was worn during the time of the prophet. The rules describe how you can rub water on the boot as being sufficient for cleansing. Again the foot is not washed. These rules can be extended even to socks in certain situations. Here is a link from the same site that talked about the nail polish need to be removed.
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543084
From my knowledge, if someone keeps the nails clean, polish does not seem to create any issues with the washing requirement. If someone can produce specific text that cover this with direct evidence, not illogical extrapolations, then I may change my opinion.
I found this to be an interesting subject to research and post upon. Informal discussions with multiple women (here in Saudi) reveal that muslim converts and Saudi women who are more conservative in nature were the majority who believe nail polish must be removed before prayer. Less conservative muslim women felt entirely at ease making their preparations for prayer without removing the nail polish.
Andrea – don’t worry – we all can have our days! We are after all, mere mortals. (smile)
I dont wear polish but I feel its just another one of those barriers put up between us and God…so many barriers…especially for women. I realize there are reasons for some rules etc…but I also feel we Muslims really get hung up on the small stuff and ignore so much of the big stuff…sigh.
Yes…. kind of like can’t see the forest for all the trees?
I just went and read the Islam Q&A post you mentioned Carol, and I think you may have misunderstood it. (My first clue being that you said Islam Q&A might be more liberal…) It says “unless it is a substance that prevents water from reaching what is beneath it,” that is, the water must reach beneath the substance not the nail. But this does not mean that you cannot wear nail polish at all or even while praying. You just can’t make wudhu with it on. If you put it on after you make wudhu for maghrib, and then pray maghrib it’s fine. And then if you have not invalidated your wudhu by the time it is time to pray Isha, then you can still pray with it on.
It is a perfectly general rule, not something directed at women to keep them from beautifying themselves. If a woman wants to beautify her hand with many rings for instance, she can, but she needs to move them a little when she makes wudhu for the same reason, to make sure that the water reaches underneath them. And a woman can also beautify her hands with henna designs which can be much more dramatic than plain old nail polish, and that can be washed over with no problem. I have often wondered why some enterprising Muslim woman didn’t produce a range of commercial henna nail dyes. And of course there is an exemption for necessity, like a bandage or a cast, but nail polish isn’t a necessity.
Andrea, I hope whatever situation is stressing you out resolves it self soon. Don’t let your astrological chart be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Thanks for your comment alajnablya.
I’m persoanlly of the oppinion that wudu cannot be propperly made over nail polish. I personally enjoy having my nails painted, but I just wait until menses and we’re all set. All the evidence I’ve ever come upon has suggested that it’s not allowed during wudu. Of course you are allowed to wipe over a cast, because it is impossible to remove and potentially dangerous at that.
With that being said, Islam is a religion, and Muslims are the people that follow it. Not all Muslims are the same, so of course there will be differing oppinons among different kinds of people.
Speaking of Islam as compared to other faiths, I find it fascinating how so many issues of life and leading ones life are addressed in Islam; even to include issues such as nail polish, shaving, beards, etc.
Not to offend but I find it fascinating the way some people take those all-encompassing aspects to the extremes that they do, thinking God will be upset with them for not removing nail polish before washing their hands for prayer….
God’s gonna hate a lot of people!
The way I view it Ryan is that each of us in the end are accountable for our own actions and the decisions we have chosen. However it is very interesting and enlightening to learn of the differing perspectives.
Really interesting post as always Carol.
@alajnabiya
interesting points about the henna – you’d be interested to know that in Pakistan, some women actually apply henna on their hands in a way that they spread it to cover the entire first digit of each finger, also covering the nail. This way their nails are also stained by the henna and it’s an alternative for nail-polish in that it’s decorative and they can perform wudu over it.
Riyadh Mom – My Saudi mother-in-law has had henna applied just as you described.
Oh I miss the Pakistan style and way of henna though… of all the places I’ve been and had henna on my hands and feet, I think the designs were most graceful and beautiful from Pakistan.
Interesting post. I think these excessive attention to détails (while maybe forgetting the really important basics) is extreme, And I thought you should avoid extremes in Islam.
Musing on wether one should or should not wear nailpolish seems a bit alien to me after reading for example how five women got shot and buried alive in Pakistan. I think it’s a sin to concentrate on these trivialities, not considering them trivialities, while ignoring the real evil and suffering which goes on and which is what we should fight, and should aim our attention to.
Anyway, one thing I’m really looking forward to, when I’m dead, is to finally find out what God actually really thinks about it all.
What I really found amusing when reading through the blog and comments was how lack of knowledge and weakness of sources doesn’t stop anyone from speaking there hearts out on any topic.
Please don’t take me for a fundamentalist or extremist. I am all for freedom of speech. I believe firmly that it is the only way knowledge can be spread.
But!!! I don’t understand how people can form opinions about Islam or anything else with mere surface level info.
If one is that interested in a topic, i would suggest one reads about it and that too, from authentic sources.
Secondly, another fundamental flaw I saw in the general approach!
Please understand, Islam is a set of principles. Muslims CHOOSE to follow that set. How far and how appropriately is there doing. You do not judge the quality of a principle by practice. Instead it is always the other way round.
Just as the malpractices of a democratically elected head of state do not reflect on democracy as a concept, lack of conviction on Muslims’ part cannot reflect on Islam!
Oh yes, Aafke…your last sentence says it all!
Thank you for commenting, Ali.
Ali…just curious…how do you know that nobody here has read anything beyond surface stuff…I for one am an avid reader about Islam…Im quite sure I go beyond sticking to just the basics as alot of Muslims do. However, Carols blog is not meant to be a deep critical thinking commentary on Islam…its more about what we think..and how did we form those opinions etc…or why things are the way they are in general. (Im guessing here Carol just from what Ive read)….so our comments are based on that level of thought.
Dont worry about me Ali Zafar, my opinions about Islam certainly aren’t shaped by the craziness of the muslims in society today.
I seperate people from religion; those that allow any major religion to guide them to stupidity themselves encompass the concept of being stupid, not their religion.
Not that I’m calling ritual nail-polish removers stupid!
Thanks Coolred -you summed it up so eloquently!
[...] Bedu has learnt than many Muslim women do not wear nail polish for religious reasons. Find out why here. Posted by Ayesha Saldanha Print Version Share [...]
Sigh…if everyone spent as much time on avoiding dishonesty, lies, gossip, cheating (and these are the things I’ve observed today at work during the holy month) as they did worrying about whether varnish was forbidden during prayer, the world would be a WONDERFUL place to live. This is a “forest for the trees” situation, as Carol indicated. So many other wrongs in the world to be made right that are so much more essential to core values of a good Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Budhist, etc.
Everyone who mentioned that bigger more important issues are more deserving of time is right. But there’s also time for what may seem as trivial issues to some. The issue of nail polish or any other foreign material that touches the body during ablution and therefore rendering it invalid is just one of the hundreds of thousands of rulings that permeate a muslim’s life.
It’s simple really to understand that Islam has brought along with its beautiful message for humanity all sorts of rules and regulations. From waking up in the morning to going to sleep at night, from the way we walk and talk, to the way we pay mortgage and treat our neighbors. From living to dying, there’s a ruling for everything! Some have reasons we can understand and some don’t! And can everyone spell socks? Say it with me, S-O-C-K-S! That’s Espanol for ‘that’s just the way it is!’
Jurisprudence is a gray area for most, but there is no denying God’s wisdom. Our senses are limited and so is our perception but I believe that since we were given the ability to question, we surely can find the answers, let’s just hope most will be found here!
So yes, let’s go and see what can be done about all those morally corrupt beings who continue to oppress. And find solutions for the orphans and hungry, but we also need to talk about what ‘ritually pure’ means, maybe we get a step closer to getting a peek at the millions of things our ignorant souls are yet to get familiar with!
Salam!
Personally, I think it is approaching insanity. As a former Christian, I remember how I was taught that Jesus was sent because the leaders of the Jews had lost track. “The Law” to them became a tyranny, where obession over what was “right or wrong” ruled their lives to the distraction of EVERYTHING else.
Jesus came, it was said, because the Jews as a people and as a religion, had lost course and could no longer see the forest for the trees.
As a Muslim I was taught much the same thing. Mohammed (SAW) came to correct the course of the Jews and the Christians.
I think that we, as Muslims, are endanger of going the same way, if we havent already. Who knows, maybe that is why, we as Muslims, believe Jesus will come again? He came the first time to correct the Jews, maybe next time he comes to correct us?
Islam does include voluntary rules, but what these rules are, what they mean and how you understand them differs greatly.
Saudi in the US pointed out very nicely how the requirement for water to touch every part of the body included in wudu is not always true. It is accepted that one can make wudu without water, so to say that water MUST be used in wudu or touch all parts of the body in wudu in another instance contradicts itself.
But then again, it is the scholars who are contradicted, not God. It is the failed and flawed understanding of many, if not most, scholars that is partially to blame for the Muslim world being as backwards and as messed up as it is today.
If the prophet came today I think he’d disown vast areas of the Muslim world because of the practices they pass off as “Islam”.
There are many hadith that attack the Muslims and Muslim society as they approach the last day because of their lack of real understanding. I view this is another brick in that road.
I am faaaarrrr from a scholar but what may appear as contradictions in Islam (such as making wudu with or without water) in my interpretation has been illustrations showing the flexibility of Islam. Wudu is to be performed. Wudu is making abolition; making oneself clean which usually means washing with water. However if water is not available then it allows and identifies alternatives. That’s my take at least.
When Muslim women were buried alive in Baloachistan and the action defended in parliament of Pakistan by elected reps, this type of discussion looks very Trivial to me. I am not a Muslim but i will very much like Islam or learned maulvies address these issues.
It all does seem like a matter of perspective at times…
Thanks for your comment Captain Johann
This is just another topic that I just don’t get what all the hubbub is about. Who puts on nail polish over dirty fingernails anyway? I think that there are just so many distractions in religion that keep people from the real messages and intents.
It seems that way sometimes Susie. And yet when I found doing searches on islam and nail polish there are actually quite a few pages of hits on this very topic.
In some ways I think the point of wudhu has been missed. As you pointed out w/ using clean earth instead of water. It isn’t just about becoming ‘clean’ but also about becoming prepared w/in to stand before God in prayer. To stop, take a moment, and prepare your heart and mind of the action your about to take. A moment that many times is needed. I think of the craziness of my days and I need that time to focus, bring some calm to my mind and heart and than proceed. now if one chooses to wear nail polish.. i don’t really care
I am not a nail polish kind of gal so doesn’t really affect me. But I’m not about to lecture a woman for doing so.
thanks for your comment, Nzingha.
I never thought of wudhu as the “time out” but rather the the process to the end. To me, the five daily prayers are the time out to reflect, particularly after the last rakkah and before saying salam alaikum…but that’s just me.
Reuters chose to carry this post:
http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/entertainment?bbPostId=B6kcqoGH9Pf8Bzn7nRZ5sNNoB5TE7BZ7VnvQCzEd0oxvaMIND
Bismillaah (In The Name of Allaah)
I am not surprised that you found fatwa giving permission to wear nail polish when praying. Unfortunately the majority are ignorant, give rulings with no knowledge and do not use proper evidences to bring forth their personal ijitiahad. It is common knowldge in Islamic theology that towards the end of time ignorance will prevail in Islamic and worldwide issues. This is a sign to mankind of the ever approaching deadline for Judgment day.
http://survivorsareus.wordpress.com
Sincerely & Gratefully
Halimah bint David
Assalamu Alaikum to all….
Well, to be honest , I am inclined to agree a bit with “Saudi in US “. Islam requires us to be clean and Wudhu ( ablution) puts us in a mentally and clean state. And also to have more concentration in prayer ( passing water over face, mouth, nostrils chases away slumber and lethargicity).
In going through the procedures of Wudhu, one is required to wash his hand, face, legs etc etc. If nail polish is applied, then does not it become a part of the nail…. and is it not sufficient just to wash them ..?
What about face cream ( NOT make-up) – the normal moisturizing cream ? Is one then required to wash it away with soap before doing wudhu ? What if one’s lips are chapped and one puts lip-balm over it ? What happens then?
Honestly , I feel the essence of Wudhu is to be in a state of cleanliness and purity . Just because one applies nail-polish, one cannot become impure.
Your comments please……
Salam Alaikum Sajna and thanks for your comments.
Wow….it could be easy for someone to get a headache in preparation of wudhu and prayer in trying to remember…is this clean? is this allowable? am I okay to pray now?
I may be simplifying things greatly here but what I believe is most important is the ritual of wudhu as laid out:
1. Make sure the place is clean, and make Niyyah (Intention) that you are making Wudu’ for Salaat and begin by saying. “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah). Wash both hands up to the wrist three times, making sure that water has reached between the fingers.
2. Put a handful of water into your mouth and rinse it thoroughly three times.
3. Clean your nose by sniffing water into it and extract the water you just sniffed (be careful not to sniff the water all the way), repeat the step 3 times.
4. Wash your face three times from right ear to left ear and from forehead to throat.
5. Wash your right arm and then your left arm thoroughly, this time up to elbow three times.
6. Move the wet fingers and palms (touching gently) over your head from the top of forehead all the way to the back of the head, and back (back of the head to the forehead). Only one time and not three.
7. Pass the wet tips of your index fingers into the grooves and holes of both ears and also pass the wet thumbs behind the ears (three times).
8. Finally, wash both feet to the ankles (preferably to the knees) starting with the right foot, making sure that water has reached between the toes and back of the feet.
It’s preferable to say after leaving the bathroom “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.”
now based on the above (and I am in no way a scholar) it would seem that face cream or moisturizer should be removed as well as lip balm in accordance with guideline 4.
Thats precisely my point here !!!!
The guidlines say –
1)WASH both hands up to the wrist three times, making sure that water has reached between the fingers
4. WASH your face three times from right ear to left ear and from forehead to throat.
Its ” WASH ” …. For instance , lets say you had nailpolish on your hands and you were painting. Now when someone asks you to wash your hands before you eat, what would you do ? You are just going to wash your hands not first take off the nail polish on , right ?
Same thing goes for the face.
Nailpolish, cream, moisturizers etc etc were not there at the time of the Prophet ( PBUH) . So why are such conclusions drawn about them as far their usage goes ?
We also know that Allah has given the option of ‘wiping’ over shoes /socks /turbans provided certain conditions are met. Allah never wanted to make things complicated for anyone. When Allah, most merciful , has given us so many options, why do we make religion as something so rigid … ?
My point is – its not that hard to take out a turban and wipe your head. Neither is it too hard to take out shoes and wash your feet. One may then say that Allah gave the permission to wipe over the turban/shoes/socks to avoid exposure to harsh sun rays …..
Well, isnt a moisturizing cream/sun block doing precisely the same thing ? Its screening us from the sun rays ..!!!
And as for nail polish being viewed as an adornment , I always have this question . What if a lady puts attractive henna designs on her hands , isnt that an adornment as well?
Okay – nail-polish has chemicals , but then again , so do those hair dyes sold in the market …..
I personally know ladies who look forward to those ’5 days of the month’ so that they could go about applying make-up/nail polish without thinking too hard . Well , dont u think its absurd making something so rigid that one actually looks forward not to pray ? I am sure thats not what Allah had in mind. He is the Most Beneficient , Most Merciful and the Most Understanding…I am sure He wants to look forward for prayer not view it as something that prohibits you from applying nail-polish , make -up ..!!
I may be wrong here….I need your comments….
In response to ‘survivorsareaus’ , I would like to say that to learn more about Islam is not being ignorant . Remember – one can only learn if he/she asks doubts and tries to clarify them. Its all about REMOVING ignorance …..
Wanting to know more about your religion or trying to find an answer behind ‘laid -out rulings’ cannot be termed as Blasphemy……
May Allah bless all during the Holy Month of Ramadan and always…..
Sajna,
All I can say in regards to your comments above is that I understand henna on the hands is no objection since one can wash with the henna in place. In regards to nail polish and moisturizers, I’m not a sheik or one who can give such advise.
To simplify things I think most importantly each individual needs to be in the right state of mind when ready to pray and how they get there is their decision.
Americanbedu
No.3 has me stumped cause I have never been able to successfully sniff water up my nose without seriously worrying that I was about to drown on dry land…just cant do it. I end up choking somewhat and coughing up all the water that went in my nose and down my throat…so basically I just clean my inner nostrils with finger swipes…in which case have I performed wudu correctly?
As mentioned…the God I know would be satisfied with my finger swipes if thats what I could manage…or the basic fact that Im standing there for prayer anyhow…with maybe some part of the wudu incomplete for whatever reason…wudu is a ritual…a pre requisite to prayer…but as in all rituals…we get lost in the little details and forget the basic meaning of the action…just my opinion.
Coolred – I agree with your words completely! If we allow ourselves we can make every facet of our life complicated and nothing would get done!
Well, same here !!!!!!!
Frankly, isnt religion and prayer supposed to be communication between us and God ?
Of course, I do respect that Wudhu is a Faradh – absolute necessity – before prayer. But if one prays with sincerity and devotion and with staunch faith , do you think Allah is just going to say that the prayer is not valid because of nail colour or cream ???!!!!!
In the end, its between us and God …..
Exactly Sajna.
It reminds me of when I used to be Catholic…I was a young child and asked the nun how come I had to go to a priest for confession and could not talk to God directly. She slapped my hand and responded “because that’s the way it is. don’t ask silly questions.” That was likely the moment I began slipping away from the Catholic faith!
I just wanted to mention that I showed this post and comments to friends and family of mine. Their responses indicate to me that such rigidity in religion like this is one reason why as westerners they are so distrustful and sarcastic of islam.
Ryan,
Glad to know that you shared the post and comments and interesting to hear their reactions. Actually Susie from Susie’s Big Adventure posted a candid post today on her views of Islam and how the practice of Islam in Saudi Arabia has influenced her views and feelings of the religion. It is worth reading and you can get to her blog from a single click on my blogroll under Saudi blogs.
Asalamo ALikum…
I wan to be a part of islamic discussions please,
ok so suppose a Muslim woman did end up wearing nail polish AFTER she made Wudu… how many prayers can she keep it on for???
Lama,
I honestly do not know and will defer to those who have more knowledge than me on this topic. I fear there are going to be some who will say there should be no polish on during prayers and others who say it is okay as long as one can wash underneath the nails.
I just came across this blog, but to answer the question for Lama….
It may be kind of hard but as long as you do not do anything to for lack of better term “break” your wudu you can keep it on..but that consist of the passing of gas, using the bathroom and a few other things I only named the two most often causes of the wudu being nullified!
@Umm Saalihah,
Welcome and thank you for providing guidance to Lama.
Regards, Carol
What really ticks me off is that people ASSume that beautifying yourself or wearing something that *gasp* reveals your arms and what not is haram or is culturally not acceptable. Any good practicing Muslim SHOULD make clear what is culture and what is religion.
Now a muslim woman can wear whatever she wishes as long as she does NOT WEAR IT IN PUBLIC, IF it contradicts the dress code set by Islam to protect her modesty.
And if Islam allows it, I DO NOT see why people should care what their culture says.
Also, regarding wearing nailpolish while praying. The facts are a prayers is NOT valid unless wudu/abulotion has been performed. And what the nailpolish does is it coats the nail thus not allowing water to touch the surface of the nail. Hence, in this case because the water did not touch the surface of the nail the wudu was not valid and thus the prayer as well.
Also, women in Islam are allowed to adorn their hands and feets with henna, and when henna is applied on the nails it almost resembles nailpolish (of course it does not block water from touching the nails).
If a person does wish to wear nailpolich you can always do it during menstruation period, as you won’t be praying anyway..
My thoughts based on facts I’ve read time and again.
Welcome Abeerks and thank you for sharing your perspectives.
I love pedicures and thus this issue has come up in my life before. From my limited research, the evidence used to back up the non permissability of wearing nailpolish is a hadith which basically states that women should wash dough or mud off their hands before prayer. As far as I’m concerned, the nature of dough/mud is not at all similar to nailpolish and so this evidence in irrelevant. Ablutions are allowed over impermeable materials such as leather socks so that renders void the argument that the water must touch everything.
My personal conclusion is that if one has made ablutions then applied nailpolish it should be fine.
To those comparing nailpolish and henna – they are not the same thing. Nailpolish is not odourous, it can be removed immediately instead of having to wait for it to grow out, it is available in pretty colours and one does not have to worry about it coming out a horrible shade of orange. Nailpolish also makes the nails look better by making them look and feel smoother. It also is pretty useful for preventing nailbiting as it tastes pretty gross, so while I accept that you are trying to be helpful please understand that they are not the same or even similar.
Dear Beelah,
Welcome to my blog and thank you very much for your comment and sharing your perspectives.
Best Regards, Bedu
If women wear nail polish they should remove it before preparing for prayers. If they do not remove, their ablution will be invalid. It takes a little time to remove it. So, wear it remove it for your good.
Isn’t it if it is clear and can be washed over, then there are exceptions?
Thank you Bedu
I know that certain people feel clear nailpolish is more acceptable that coloured nailpolish, but I really don’t see why it would make a difference. Personally, I don’t see the problem with wearing nailpolish provided wudhu (ritual purification) had been made prior to the application.
why would any ablution be invalid if the nailpolish was applied when the women was in a state of ritual purity? Is it not acceptable to make masah over other impermeable barriers such as khuffain (leather socks)? There is no prohibition on the wearing of nailpolish, merely a lack of precedence, however, using logic, it seems to follow that the same rules that apply to khuffain would apply to nailpolish. if anyone has any quranic or hadith based proof to contradict this, it would be welcome
You are welcome beelah. And maybe I am oversimplifying but to me what really matters is the state of mind and what is in the heart when praying. If one simply prays because “it is that time” then to me, that’s not the right reasons. The adhan is great at reminding us of the time for prayers in order not to miss out rather than be meant to enforce prayer….my simple view.
That’s so true! It is quite easy to get caught up in nitty gritty details and rituals and forget the essence of why. At the end of the day, intentions are what matters most
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Beelah, I know I am extremely late in this converation, as it seems it is over but I’m gonna take my chances anyways. Could you please post any hadith and or quran that speaks on the topic at hand. It’ll be greatly appreciated and inshaAllah will help me on my quest for the truth regarding us muslimahs and nail polish.
if i touch with my mother in law then ablution will invalid?
A lot of rules layed out in Islam were made to be logical. Everyone has their own interpretations. The first comment I read was negative, but I think as a health enthusiast this rule in Islam is indeed positive because your nails absorb nutrients to stay healthy and strong. Nail polish is a harmful chemical based paint. Even if you do wear nail polish, you should give your finger and toe nails a break so they can remain healthy. I have never heard of it unlawful for aesthetic reasons, but different cultures have their own ideas of modesty and there is no problem with that, whether you’re a bikini or burkah type of girl.
Interesting topic from 2008!
I rarely wear nail polish myself because I do not like the feel of it on my nails. I feel like my nails can’t breathe when I wear it. However, I am surprised that some consider it unclean in terms of preparing for prayer (although I should be clear here that I’m not Muslim, either). I would think the length of the nails would be more, or at least just as much, of a concern as nail polish. Although, I don’t care for long nails either- they tend to get in the way and trap bacteria. To each their own, though! 
This has become a strong point of contention amongst Muslims. It’s also odd how some people come forth declaring nail polish as forbidden, but they never post any textual proof to back themselves up, usually, they just say ‘it’s fact’. Well it’s not fact since nail polish didn’t exist in the Prophet Mohammed’s time and there is no clear ruling against it. If you are trying to legislate something as haraam then the onus is on you to bring proof forth. What is the proof? I have not seen a single Ayah from the Qur’an or a strong sahih Hadith to prove that nail polish is haraam or that you can’t do ablutions with it on.
People say that water doesn’t touch the nail with nail polish on, well what about the edges of the nail and the undersides? Where does it say that water has to touch every single millimetre of nail on hands and feet in order for wudhu to be valid? It doesn’t make any sense! It’s just more noise than anything, the sort of noise that is always directed at Muslim women by control freaks, who get their panties in a wad over things like makeup and nail polish. And the people who keep mentioning henna…yes henna patterns are beautiful but when nails are stained with henna…you can’t compare that orange brown stain (which I find hideous looking) to the beauty of nail polish…so not the same!
I forgot to add that nail polish formulations these days are usually big-3 or big-4 free, which means that they are free from Formaldehyde, Toulene and Phthalates (sp?) which are the ingredients that are considered harmful and used to be in all nail polishes in the past. Brands like Orly, Nubar, Zoya and recent OPI & Essie colours are all free from these harmful chemicals.
Also your nails do not breathe! The are a hard keratin structure, just like your hair, which does not breathe either. This is a proven scientific fact.
Thus, for the large part, the argument about nail polish being bad for your health is redundant.
And you have to ask yourself….is god more concerned with the fact that you went through the prescribed ritual priot to prayer…or that the water actually touched every single spot in those designated areas? I find that Muslims expect god to be entirely focused on the little details such as this…while excusing the bigger ones…like a muslim man marrying more than one wife “just because he wants too and can” and not because he is concerned with taking care of divorcees or “spinsters” so to speak. So…make excuses for one and finger point at the other…yet which one causes the more harm over all?
I’ve said it so many times…Saudi is contrasts and contradictions, many which may not make sense.
Praise be to Allaah.
One of the conditions of tahaarah (purification) being valid is that the water must touch the skin. If there is any barrier such as grease, paint, wax or glue that prevents water reaching the skin, then the tahaarah is not valid and prayers offered in that case are not valid.
The evidence for that is the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him): “If you find water, then let it touch your skin, for that is good.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (332); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood
It stated here clearly the skin!! The nails is not a skin. Same goes to the face the eye ball is not a skin either. The water needs to touch the SKIN! Coz some sis here mention washing the hands that’s include the nails, which means if washing the face that includes the eye ball?? How bout contact lenses then?
If there is on him any mastic or anything thick that will prevent the water from reaching the skin, his washing of that part for wudoo’ is not valid, unless he removes it or removes enough so that he knows that there is no barrier to the water touching the skin. End quote.
I wudhu n pray with my gelish nails. Reasons why I put on gelish nails because my nails r weak n when it tears, its hurting me or cuts thru my flesh. So the gelish is something that I use to protect my fingers. N help my nails to be stronger n useful. Same goes to my contact lenses, it helps me to see n its on my eyeball which is a part on my face but is not a skin. N when I put on my glasses I will remove it upon taking my wuduh,as the glasses is covering the skin on my face.
Another prove
Wudu’ (Ablution)
Allah revealed: ِنيَبْعَكْلا ْمُكَيِدْيَأَو ِقِفاَرَمْلا ىَلِإ ْاوُحَسْماَو ْمُكِسوُؤُرِب ْمُكَلُجْرَأَوىَلِإ اَهُّيَأ اَي ْاوُنَماء َنيِذَّلا ْمُتْمُق اَذِإ ِةالَّصلا ىَلِإ ْاوُلِسْغافْمُكَهوُجُو
لاق:ىلاعت هللا
This verse from the Qur’an means: “0 you who believe, if you stand up for prayer, wash your face and arms up to [and including] the elbows and wet wipe [part of] your head and wash your feet up to [and including] the ankles.” (al-Ma’idah, 6)