On Eid-ul Adha, Muslims practice Qurbani to honor Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) devotion to Allah (SWT) and express obedience to His command. Qurbani is not just an act of sacrifice; it is an opportunity to grow spiritually, strengthen the bond with Allah Almighty, and remind Muslims to obey and submit themselves to Him.
If Muslims want to receive the complete rewards of Qurbani, they should perform it according to Allah's orders and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and follow all the Qurbani rules.
Is Cutting Hair or Nails Before Qurbani forbidden?
Many Muslims who plan a Qurbani for Eid ul Adha seek guidance on pre-Qurbani rules, one of which is whether cutting hair or nails before Qurbani is allowed.
To determine this question, look at your role in performing the sacrifice. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) provided direct guidance via Hadith. One well-known and widely accepted Hadith on this matter is:
"When the (first 10) ten days (of Dhul Hijjah) begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not remove anything from his hair or nails."
The Hadith clearly states that Muslims are advised to stop cutting their hair and nails from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah until the completion of their Qurbani ritual. This act is a Sunnah and applies only to those making the Qurbani sacrifice themselves, not to all Muslims.
The rest of the family members are not included in this restriction unless they, too, are making a Qurbani sacrifice in their name. The sacrificial practice establishes a spiritual bond that unites Hajj performers with people who conduct their sacrifices elsewhere because pilgrims are prohibited from cutting their hair and nails while in Ihram during Hajj.
Is it Haram to Cut Hair and Nails During the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah?
Since Eid is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, trimming hair or nails before Qurbani (from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until the Qurbani is carried out) is not considered haram (forbidden) in Islam.
Instead, it is considered a Makrooh (disliked) act. This is not a sin, and that's why there is no penalty or compensation needed for it. However, we should still avoid this act because it is contrary to Sunnah.
What If Someone Accidentally Cuts Their Hair or Nails before Qurbani?
If someone forgets and cuts their hair or nails during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, there's no need to panic. Islam is a religion of mercy. In such cases, the person should ask Allah for forgiveness and continue their Qurbani as planned. Even if it was done intentionally, while they may miss out on the reward of this Sunnah, their Qurbani remains completely valid, and there is no need to offer another sacrifice.
Imam Nawawi (RA) said: "Our companions said that it is disliked for the one who wants to sacrifice to remove anything from his hair, nails, or skin. If he does so, he should seek forgiveness from Allah, but there is no penalty upon him." Thus, this is a recommended practice for Sunnah to follow, not a binding obligation.
What If Someone Accidentally Cuts Their Hair or Nails before Qurbani?
We need to follow Qurbani rules properly while performing Qurbani, and personal Qurbani sacrifice holds great importance. However, the core meaning of Eid al-Adha is to share its blessings with less fortunate people.
To experience the genuine spirit of Eid, you need to care about the happiness of people with fewer resources than yourself.