Praying with Nail Polish

Answered by Ustadha Shaista Maqbool
Question: Assalamu Alaykum
I was wondering if women can pray with nail polish? Since converting to Islam I have stopped wearing nail polish. I was wondering what the scholars says about this?
Answer: Wa’alikum assalaam warahmatu Allah,
Nail polish in itself does not prevent prayer, but it does prevent wudu since it creates a coating which keeps water from reaching the nails.
In order for wudu to be correct, there must not be any barrier between water and the parts needed to be washed. Therefore, nail polish, paint, dough, white-out, and the like must be removed for wudu to be valid.
If someone made wudu and then applied nail polish, her prayer would be valid. However, she would have to go through the trouble of having to take off the nail polish when she needs to do wudu again. Furthermore, while wearing nail polish she would not be allowed to expose her hands in front of male who are not relatives since this would be from adornment which women are to keep covered.
This is a small sacrifice to make for the pleasure of Allah ta’ala that He will have upon you for leaving what you like for His sake, inshaAllah.
wasalaam,
Shaista Maqbool
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani