Can You Do Wudu with Fake Nails?

Question: 120850

Is it permissible to pray and do acts of worship when wearing fake nails because the nails break constantly due to lack of calcium in the body?

Summary of answer

There is nothing wrong with praying while wearing fake nails, but they should be removed when doing Wudu and Ghusl, so that the water may reach what is beneath them.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

There is nothing wrong with wearing fake nails permanently if that is because the natural nails break due to a lack of calcium in the body.

However, if they are worn for the purpose of adornment and beautification , that is not permissible.

There is nothing wrong with praying while wearing fake nails , but it is stipulated that they should be removed when doing Wudu and Ghusl, so that the water may reach what is beneath them.

It says in a fatwa of the Permanent Committee (5/218):

“If the nail polish forms a layer on the surface of the nails , then Wudu is not valid unless it is removed before doing Wudu. If it does not form a layer, then Wudu is valid, as in the case of henna.

If this is the case with regard to nail polish , then it applies even more so to artificial nails .”

And Allah knows best.

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