Someone from Canada wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, asking whether it is necessary for the person performing the sacrifice on Eid al-Adha to refrain from cutting their hair and clipping nails from the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is made. And does this directive apply to those living abroad who, instead of performing the sacrifice themselves, give money to the Jamaat or a relative to carry it out on their behalf? Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 22 August 2022, provided the following guidance on this issue:
“It is narrated in the Hadith that one who intends to offer a sacrifice should not cut their hair or clip nails from the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is made. According to the narration of Hazrat Umm Salamahra, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Anyone who desires to sacrifice [on Eid al-Adha] should not get his hair cut or nails clipped after observing the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah until [the sacrificial animal] has been sacrificed.’ (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-adahi, Bab man dakhala ‘alayhi ‘ashr dhu l-hijjah)
“Moreover, it is reported from Hazrat Aishara that when Allah’s Messenger sent the sacrificial animal from Medina, I used to weave garlands for his sacrificial animals, and then he would not avoid those things that a person in the state of ihram avoids. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-hajj, Bab fatli al-qala’id li l-budni wa l-baqar)
“Based on these two types of Hadith, Islamic jurists [fuqaha] have different opinions on this issue. Some jurists consider it forbidden [haram] for someone who is sacrificing to cut their hair or clip their nails. According to the Shafi‘i school of thought, doing so is disliked [makruh] but not haram. One narration from Imam Malik considers it makruh, and another says it is not makruh, while according to Imam Abu Hanifa, it is not makruh at all. (Sharh an-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim, Kitab al-adahi, Bab man dakhala ‘alayhi ‘ashr dhu l-hijjah)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states:
“‘Those who intend to perform the sacrifice should not shave from the first of Dhul Hijjah until they have made the sacrifice. Our Community should pay special attention to this matter because the practice of this sunnah has become neglected among the general populace.’ (Al Fazl, Qadian Dar al-Aman, No. 24, Vol. 5, 22 September 1917, p. 4)
“In summary, it is preferred [mustahabb] and desirable for one who intends to sacrifice not to cut their hair or clip their nails; however, it is not obligatory or essential. Therefore, if a person intending to offer a sacrifice cuts their hair or clips their nails, it does not affect the validity of their sacrifice. The same ruling applies whether one performs the sacrifice themselves or has it performed by someone else.”