What is the ruling concerning an individual taking from their hair or nails if they intend to perform the sacrifice?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)
Primary text
If a person intends to perform the sacrifice and the first ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah] have entered, that person must refrain from taking anything from their hair or skin (as stated in the narration by Muslim). The apparent meaning of this prohibition suggests that cutting hair is forbidden. This is the position held by some of our companions, as narrated by Ibn al-Mundhir from Ahmad, Ishaq, and Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab.
Supporting text
A second view, held by Al-Qadi and a group of our companions, as well as Malik, al-Shafi'i, is that it is disliked (makruh) but not forbidden (muharram). This is based on the narration from 'Aishah that she used to twist the necklaces for the sacrificial animals of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and nothing that Allah had made lawful for him became forbidden until the animal was slaughtered. Abu Hanifah holds that it is not disliked, arguing that since sexual intercourse and wearing certain garments are not forbidden for the sacrificer, clipping nails and cutting hair should likewise not be disliked, similar to someone who does not intend to sacrifice.