DefinePK

Research Objective

To investigate the alleged prohibition of cutting hair and nails during the first ten days of Dhil ijjah for those intending to sacrifice animals on Eid al-Adha, trace the origin of this ruling, discuss various scholarly views, and determine the most convincing position.

Methodology

Historical analysis of the origin of the ruling, discussion of various views from jurists and hadith scholars, examination of hadith sources (specifically the narration from Sayyidah Umm-i Salamah), and consolidation of scholarly opinions across different centuries.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD; A[Identify Alleged Prohibition Source: Umm-i Salamah Hadith] --> B[Analyze Hadith Authenticity & Narration Variations]; B --> C[Trace Historical Adoption and Scholarly Reception]; C --> D[Categorize Juristic ViewsḤarām, Makrūh, Permissible]; D --> E[Evaluate Author's Preferred View Permissibility]; E --> F[Conclusion: Prohibition Not Reliably Established]; F --> G[Final Insight: General Permissibility Remains];                    

Discussion

The controversy stems from the interpretation of the Umm-i Salamah hadith. Jurists adopted three main stances: prohibition (ḥarām, supported by Imam Ahmad), dislike (makrūh, supported by Imam Shafi' to reconcile conflicting reports), or permissibility (supported by the majority including early figures like Malik, Abu Hanifa, and contemporary researchers). The author argues for permissibility based on the hadith's lack of strong substantiation as a Prophetic saying, its contradiction with the more authentic Ayesha (RA) tradition, and the general practice of early Muslims.

Key Findings

The most convincing view, supported by the majority of scholars, is that no prohibition on cutting hair or nails during the first ten days of Dhil ijjah for the intending sacrificer can be established based on the sayings or practice of the Prophet (peace be on him). The basis for the alleged prohibition is a singular report (khabr l-wid) from Sayyidah Umm-i Salamah (RA), which has significant divergence in its attribution (marfūʿ vs. mawqūf) and textual content. Early scholars often dismissed this tradition, and its absence in prominent hadith sources from the 2nd to 4th centuries Hijri suggests a lack of acceptance or perceived weakness.

Conclusion

The author concludes that the prohibition on trimming hair and nails for the person intending sacrifice during the first ten days of Dhi l-ijjah is not reliably established in the Sunnah, and therefore, what is generally permissible for a believer should remain permissible during these specific days.

Fact Check

1. Eid al-Adha honors the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). (Claim confirmed by text)
2. Sad b. Musayyib was the sole jurist during the Tabi'in era who narrated the Umm-i Salamah tradition and issued a fatwa asserting prohibition (ḥarām). (Claim confirmed by text)
3. Scholars like Imam Muslim, Imam Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Hazm consider the discussed hadith to be well-established and authentic in its attribution to the Prophet (peace be on him). (Claim confirmed by text)

Mind Map