The default principle for things, including matters of appearance like clothing and adornment, is permissibility, and nothing is prohibited except with evidence relying on a legitimate source of legislation.

There is no evidence prohibiting the mentioned matter itself, except for what some raise that it is altering the creation of Allāh. However, there is no alteration of creation in this matter. The intended alteration in the Quranic verse is not mere increase or decrease [of something to the creation]. This is permissible in analogous matters without objection, such as lengthening or shortening hair, wearing tall shoes for a short-statured person to appear taller, piercing the ear for wearing earrings, and similar matters permitted for adornment. The meaning of altering the creation of Allāh is disfigurement, as evidenced by the verse: “And I [Satan] will command them so they will change the creation of Allāh.” [An-Nisā᾽ 4:119].

However, given the permissibility of such matter, the following should be noted:

1. It is from the natural disposition (fiṭrah) to trim nails for both men and women. The majority of scholars opt for the dislike (karāhah) of growing nails, considering it contrary to the Sunnah, which encourages cleanliness and trimming nails. Dislike (karāhah) intensifies if this exceeds forty days, and some scholars, like Ash-Shawkānī, even consider it prohibited (ḥarām) at that point.
2. If a woman does this as a form of deception or cheating, it becomes prohibited (ḥarām) for that reason.
3. If a woman embellishes her nails in an ugly manner that resembles animals with long nails, as some women do, departing from human custom, it becomes prohibited (ḥarām) due to disfigurement and excessive adornment.

I advise sisters against doing this, even if it is permissible based on the principle of permissibility, as it may lead to other harmful consequences.

Fatwa issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr