Question

I have a question on whether or not nail polish is permissible, and the reason due to it. Also, I had heard that the reason it may not be permitted is because when performing wudu, the water cannot penetrate through the nail polish to reach the nails, however, there has been a nail polish created which allows the penetration of water through the nail polish to the nails so the wudu is able to be completed. Jazakallah khair

Answer

If the nail polish or nail varnish contains alcohol - a liquid substance capable of intoxicating - then it is impure. To apply a substance to the body that contains impure and forbidden substances is Haram.

“The favoured and preferred stance is that every droplet of toddy etc. and other intoxicant liquids are similar to alcohol; Haram and impermissible. Not only Haram, but in fact categorically a major impurity [najasat e ghaliza], just like urine. This is the relied upon stance and the stance upon which the Fatwa is issued.” [Fatawa Ridawiyyah: 25:108]

If the nail polish does not contain anything Haram, then it is permissible to apply it, but it must not be visible or shown in front of ghayr maharim, as it is impermissible for women to reveal their adornment in front of ghayr maharim.

"And not to reveal their adornment except to their own husbands"[Qur’an 24:31]

If the nail polish – provided it is free from any impure and Haram substance – covers the nails in such a way that water cannot penetrate through it when performing wudu or ghusl, then such nail polish must be removed before performing wudu or ghusl, otherwise the wudu and ghusl will remain incomplete. However, if the nail polish is free from any impure substances and it allows water to penetrate through the nail polish, then such types of nail polishes do not have to be removed when performing wudu and ghusl and Allah knows best

Muhammad Kalim
24th Ramadan Sharif

The answer is correct and Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)
8th Shawwaal 1436 AH