Question

I read that clipping the nails is one of the violations of Ihraam. If a pilgrim finds that a nail or part of a nail needs to be removed because it hurts or disturbs him, and he removes it, does he incur any sort of compensation? What about removing dead skin which grows besides the fingernails or toenails as well as the dead skin on the heels? Does this require compensation? Please advise.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

Clipping the nails is one of the violations of Ihram, but if a pilgrim's nail is broken and hurts him, there will be no harm to clip the hurting part only without any sort of compensation required. Ibn ‘Abbas said, “A pilgrim in the state of Ihram is allowed to smell basil, enter the shower, pull out his molars, and squeeze out pus. If his nail is broken, he can remove harm from himself.” He added, “Remove harm from yourselves, for Allah The Almighty does not benefit from your harm.” [Ad-Daraqutni and Al-Bayhaqi]

Scholars have different opinions concerning the ruling of removing some of a person’s skin during the state of Ihram. Some scholars, like Shaykh Ibn Baz forbade it, and others, like Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen permitted it. In Fatawa Shaykh Ibn Baz it was written,

A Muslim in the state of Ihram or one [not in Hajj] who intends to slaughter a sacrificial animal for 'Eed Al-Adh’ha should not remove anything from his skin or hair. A pilgrim in the state of Ihram and the Muslim who intends to slaughter a sacrificial animal for ‘Eed Al-Adh’ha should not remove any thing from their skin, whether from the face or the leg or the hand or anywhere else until the pilgrim makes the first dissolution of Ihram and the latter slaughters his sacrificial animal.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said, “A pilgrim in the state of Ihram is not forbidden to remove part of his skin.” We do not know any authentic evidence on the prohibition, and the preponderant opinion is that it is permissible. However, it is more cautious not to remove any skin to be away from the divergence in opinions.

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb