As you know, everything created by God has wisdom behind it. Do you know the wisdom behind the growth of hair and nails? In the following, we will familiarize you with its wisdom.
What is the wisdom behind hair and nail growth?
Every healthy person sheds approximately 30,000 dead skin cells per minute. However, live skin cells are continuously produced in the layer beneath the epidermis, replacing the dead cells. Beneath the epidermis, there is a layer called the dermis, which contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and glands. Below the dermis, there is a fat layer that acts as an insulator, shock absorber, and energy reservoir. Even though most parts of the skin are less than 6 millimeters thick, the skin still remains a strong protective layer. The skin forms a highly effective barrier against the entry of microbes and harmful substances into the body, but its protective effect is most effective when the skin's surface remains healthy. Wounds on the skin can become infected and allow microbes to enter the bloodstream.
The protective plates known as nails are found at the tips of the fingers and toes. Nails are primarily made of keratin, a strong protein also found in the skin and hair. The growth of nails occurs from the matrix, located beneath a skin fold called the cuticle, and from the lunula, the crescent-shaped area at the base of the nails. Reflect again on how God, with perfect wisdom and planning, created hair and nails.
Hadiths from the Imams about the wisdom of hair and nail growth:
One narration mentions that a person asked Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him):
"O son of the Messenger of God, why did God not create hair and nails in such a way that they would not grow, so that humans would not need to cut them?"
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied:
"God has placed blessings in this for His servant that he does not know, so that he can show gratitude. Know that when hair grows from the skin and nails grow from the fingertips, pains and diseases are expelled from the body."
Therefore, humans have been commanded to regularly remove hair, trim their nails, and maintain cleanliness so that hair and nails grow frequently, expelling pains and diseases from the body. But if these practices are done infrequently, the pain and disease remain within the body and lead to serious and lasting illnesses.
The growth of hair in certain areas of the body, where it would cause discomfort or harm, has been prevented. If hair grew in the eyes, would a person not become blind? If it grew in the mouth, would eating and drinking not become difficult and unenjoyable? If it grew on the palms, would a person not be unable to properly touch objects or perform certain tasks? Reflect on how hair does not grow in areas where there is no benefit or necessity. This is not only true for humans but also for animals, both domestic and wild, where similar patterns of hair growth are seen.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Hair growing in the nose is a protection from leprosy."
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) also said: "A wide collar and hair in the nose are a protection from leprosy." He added, "Did you not hear the poet who said: 'You only see my shirt with a wide collar and wide sleeves?'"
Therefore, think deeply about how God is free from error or harm, and all His actions are filled with wisdom, decree, and benefit. Everything He does has a purpose and advantage. If this explanation was enjoyable for you, please share your thoughts with us.
