SAEDNEWS: According to Islamic narrations, trimming one’s nails on Thursday and Friday is considered more virtuous and is believed to help protect against illnesses such as eye pain and vitiligo.
According to Saednews, The topic of the best day for trimming nails is discussed based on various narrations. According to the combined understanding of these reports, nails should be trimmed every week. Friday is considered the most recommended day, followed by Thursday, and then the other days of the week. It should also be noted that when nails become long, various types of germs can accumulate underneath them, and these microbes may contribute to many illnesses.
One of the recommended days for cutting nails is Friday. It is narrated that someone asked Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him): “Our companions believe that nails should be cut on Friday.” The Imam replied:
“If you wish, cut them on Friday. But if you cannot wait until Friday, then cut them whenever they become long.”
It is narrated from Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) that he said:
“Cutting nails on Friday protects a person from diseases such as leprosy, blindness, and skin discoloration. If there is no need to cut the nails on Friday, then file them so that small pieces separate from them.”
In several other narrations, it is stated:
“Every Friday, trim your moustache and nails. If your nails are already short, file them on Friday so that you will not be afflicted with madness, leprosy, or skin diseases.”
Another narration states:
“Whoever trims his nails and moustache every Friday will remain in a state of cleanliness until the next Friday.”
Another report says:
“Trimming nails and moustache every Friday and washing the head with the herb khatmi (mallow) on Friday removes poverty and increases sustenance.”
It is narrated that someone asked Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him):
“I have heard that remaining engaged in supplications after the morning prayer until sunrise is more beneficial than traveling to different cities seeking an increase in livelihood.”
The Imam replied:
“Would you like me to teach you something more beneficial than all of these?”
The person said: “Yes.”
The Imam said:
“Trim your nails and moustache every Friday, even if it is only by filing them.”
It is narrated from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he said:
“Whoever cuts his nails on Friday, Allah removes illnesses from his fingertips and replaces them with healing.”
It is also narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him):
“Whoever cuts his nails on Friday, discomfort and problems around the roots of the nails will be removed from him.”
It is narrated from Imam Ali (peace be upon him):
“Cutting nails on Friday removes every pain.”
Another recommended day for trimming nails is Thursday.
It is narrated from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) that he said:
“Whoever cuts his nails on Thursday and leaves one nail to be cut on Friday, Allah will remove his worries and distress.”
It is narrated from Imam Ali (peace be upon him):
“Cutting nails on Thursday increases one’s provision.”
It is narrated from Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him):
“Whoever cuts his nails on Thursday will have many children and will not suffer from eye pain.”
If someone wishes to gain the reward associated with both Thursday and Friday, they may cut their nails on Thursday and leave one nail until Friday, or cut all nails on Thursday and file them on Friday so that small pieces come off.
It is narrated that Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him) saw a person suffering from eye pain. He said:
“Would you like me to teach you something that, if you do it, you will never suffer from eye pain?”
The person replied: “Yes.”
The Imam said:
“Cut your nails every Thursday.”
The person followed the Imam’s instruction and never experienced eye pain afterward.
It is also narrated from Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him):
“Whoever consistently cuts his nails on Thursday will never suffer from eye pain.”
A narration states that whoever cuts his nails on Wednesday, beginning with the little finger of the right hand and ending with the little finger of the left hand, will be protected from eye problems.
It is narrated from Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him):
“Cut your nails on Tuesday.”
It is narrated from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
“Whoever cuts his nails and moustache on Saturday or Thursday will be protected from tooth and eye pain.”
A narration recommends reciting the following supplication while trimming nails and moustache:
“Bismillah wa billah, wa ‘ala sunnati Muhammadin wa ali Muhammad.”
(“In the name of Allah, by Allah, and according to the tradition of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.”)
According to a reliable narration, when cutting nails, one should begin with the little finger of the left hand and finish with the little finger of the right hand.
Another narration states:
“If on Thursday a person begins with the little finger of the right hand, continues to the thumb of that hand, then begins with the little finger of the left hand and ends with the thumb, they will be protected from eye pain.”
It is also considered possible that:
On Wednesday, it is better to begin with the left hand.
On Thursday, one should begin with the little finger of each hand.
On Friday and other days, one should begin with the little finger of the left hand and finish with the little finger of the right hand.
Generally, beginning with the little finger of the left hand is considered good, as mentioned by Shaykh al-Saduq and Ali ibn Babawayh.
According to Sunni narrations, the order of cutting nails is described as follows:
For the right hand:
Index finger
Little finger
Thumb
Middle finger
Remaining finger
For the left hand:
Begin with the finger next to the little finger,
Then cut the middle finger,
Then the thumb,
Then the little finger,
Finally, the index finger.
However, preference is given to following the method mentioned earlier from the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prohibited cutting nails with the teeth.
Recommended Days for Nail Trimming in Islamic Traditions
According to these narrations, Friday is regarded as the most preferred day for cutting nails, Thursday is the next recommended day, and other days are also permissible when needed. The traditions emphasize cleanliness, personal hygiene, and regular nail care as part of maintaining purity and good habits.
