Does Cutting Nails Break Wudu?

Question: 1164

After praying, a person discovers some impermeable substance, such as wax, on his hands or feet – what should he do in this case? Also, does one have to repeat Wudu if one cuts one’s nails?

Summary of answer

If, after praying, you find on the parts that must be washed in Wudu something that prevents water from reaching them, then you must remove it and repeat your Wudu and prayer. As for cutting nails, it does not break your Wudu.

Answer

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

It is obligatory to wash all the parts of the body that are specified for washing in Wudu, in obedience to the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! When you intend to offer the prayer, wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows…” [Al-Ma’idah 5:6], and following the example and teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recorded in the authentic Hadiths, which describe the parts of the body to be washed in Wudu.

If, after praying, a person finds something on these parts of his body that prevents water from reaching them , then he must remove it and repeat his Wudu and prayer.

As far as cutting the nails is concerned, this does not mean that one has to repeat Wudu, and in fact doing so is not encouraged.

For more details, please refer to the following answers: 27070 , 114810 , and 26266 .

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/220)