Is it permissible to cut your nails after sunset?

Answer

It is permissible to cut nails after sunset. Some of our predecessors have mentioned it may reduce one’s provision (rizq) if one cuts his nails at night. If one’s nails have become very big, such person should cut them as soon as possible whether that be in the day or the night.

It is Sunnah to cut nails on a Friday and it is better to avoid cutting nails on a Wednesday as there is a weak Hadith which suggests fear of catching leprosy. Allamah Shahab Al-Deen Al-Khaffaji writes in Naseem Al-Riyadh that a scholar cut his nails on a Wednesday thinking the Hadith is weak. He caught leprosy. Once he saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his dreams and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him, “Did my Hadith not reach you?”. The scholar replied that he did receive it but found it to be weak. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Is it not enough for you that someone says, The Messenger of Allah said?” and with his blessed hands touched the affected area. The scholar became cured and so he was when he awoke.

And Allah knows best,

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)