Praying while wearing nail polish is not problematic, but applying nail polish before performing wudu (ablution) or ghusl (ritual purification) is problematic because one of the conditions for wudu and ghusl is that there must be no barrier preventing water from reaching the skin.
Islamic Ruling on Nail Polish
In recent years, with the uncontrolled influx of various nail polishes in attractive designs and colors in the market, although using this makeup has become a normal behavior for some, it has also caused many harms to women and girls. Among these harms are the chemical effects that nail polishes leave on the body and nails, as well as the competition and envy in using more types of nail polish and women becoming accustomed to using it under any circumstances and in any place. Among these, the most dangerous harm is that some women and girls, due to their strong interest in wearing nail polish, abandon praying—the obligatory act upon which the success of this world and the hereafter depends.
Is it problematic to pray while wearing nail polish? Does it invalidate prayer?
Some think that since nail polish is problematic for wudu (ablution) and ghusl (ritual purification), prayer itself cannot be performed while wearing it. However, it must be said that wearing nail polish itself is not problematic. It only poses a religious problem in wudu and ghusl because it acts as a barrier preventing water from reaching the skin. Otherwise, wearing nail polish during prayer is not only permissible but is also considered a form of adornment. Just like makeup itself is not problematic, and in some cases, it is even recommended by religion.
During prayer, applying makeup, wearing clean clothes, wearing gold necklaces, and henna on the hands—provided that non-mahram (unrelated) men do not see—are recommended. The only caution is that makeup should not prevent the forehead from touching the ground during prostration.
Praying with an artificially made-up face is not problematic; however, its recommendation is not established. It must only be ensured that the makeup does not prevent prostration. (Fatwa from the office of Ayatollah Khamenei in Qom)
A narration from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) states: It is not fitting for a woman to pray without adornment such as a necklace or without henna on her hands. (Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. 3, p. 335, chapter on prayer clothes, chapter 58, hadith 2)
Therefore, if someone applies nail polish after wudu or ghusl, as long as their state of purity remains intact, they can pray and praying while wearing nail polish in this case is not problematic.
Is performing wudu valid if one toenail is without nail polish?
Ayatollah Khamenei
Question: I want to know if wudu is invalid with permanent (gel) nail polish?
Answer: In general, anything that has a solid layer and prevents water from reaching the body or nails must be removed, and wudu and ghusl with it are not valid; consequently, prayer is invalid and fasting is also invalid if the person has had a major impurity (hadath akbar).
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi
Performing ghusl and wudu with nail polish: In ghusl, all barriers must be removed; in wudu, nail polish on the fingers must be cleaned. However, if one toenail (except the little toe) is free of nail polish and wiped over during wudu, it is valid.
Question: For wudu, do both fingernails and toenails have to be without nail polish, or is it sufficient for only the little toenail to be polish-free?
Answer: The little toenail alone is not sufficient, but the other toes alone are sufficient.
Question: A woman removed nail polish from her fingernails but after a few days noticed that the corner of one nail still had some polish and was not completely clean. Are her wudu and prayers during this period valid, or should she repeat them?
Answer: In this case, her wudu and prayers are valid, but she should be more careful in the future.
Ayatollah Sistani
Question: Some women grow their nails longer than the natural limit for adornment and sometimes, due to breakage, doctors prescribe a coating that remains on the nails for most of the day. Knowing that such coating or nail polish prevents water from reaching the nails during ghusl and wudu, is it permissible for women to use such coatings, and how are wudu and ghusl performed with them?
Answer: Ghusu and wudu with such coatings that prevent water from reaching the skin are not valid. They must be removed for proper ghusl and wudu. The intention of adornment does not permit such barriers.
