Is It Permissible to Cut One’s Hair and Nails before Slaughtering on Eid?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question

What are the guidelines in the Hanafi School about personal upkeep from the first of Thul Hijjah until Eid al Adha (post sacrifice)? Specifically, are there any restrictions for trimming nails, trimming beard, etc., or is that only for the Hujjaj?

Answer

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

It would be recommended to avoid cutting your hair and nails until your animal has been slaughtered. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

However, it would be prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to abstain from cutting one’s hair (i.e. below the navel, under armpits, etc.) beyond forty days. Therefore, this would take preference over the recommended act.

And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani