What is the ruling on lengthening one fingernail while keeping the others short?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A Muslim should not leave their nails, or any part of them, long, as this goes against the . Trimming nails is among the characteristics of the fitra (innate disposition) and the sunnahs of necessity. It is strongly disliked ( shaddid) to delay cutting them for more than forty days. It may even become forbidden () if dirt accumulates under them, preventing water from reaching the skin during purification. There is no difference in this ruling between one nail or more, unless leaving a single nail long is an imitation of the immoral, in which case it becomes even worse.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/112344
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 112344
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy