Ruling concerning shortening eyebrows, letting fingernails grow long and using nail polish

Question:
(1) What is the ruling concerning shortening extra eyebrow hairs?
(2) What is the ruling concerning letting fingernails grow long and putting on finger nail polish, given that I make ablution before putting them on and it stays for twenty-four hours and then remove it?
(3) Is it allowed for a woman to wear hijaab without covering her face when she travels abroad?

Response:
(1) It is not allowed to remove or shorten eyebrow hairs. It is confirmed that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) cursed the one who has them removed and the one who removed them. The scholars have stated that the Hadeeth is in reference to those who remove eyebrow hairs.

(2) Letting the fingernails grow is something that goes against the sunnah of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam). He said, ((From the acts of nature are five: circumcision, removing pubic hairs, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails and plucking the hair from under the armpits.)) It is not allowed to leave them for more than forty nights. This is based on the Hadeeth of Anas who said, "The Messenger of Allaah set a time limit for us for trimming the moustache, trimming nails, removing armpit hairs and removing pubic hairs. They cannot be left for more than forty nights." Letting them grow long resembles animals and some of the disbelievers. As for nail polish, it is better to avoid it. One must remove it when making ablution since it prevents water from reaching the nails.

(3) It is obligatory for women to wear hijaab in front of non mahram men both inside and outside of the country. Allaah has said, {And when you ask them, ask them from behind a screen, that is proper for your hearts and for their hearts}, [al-Ahzaab 53]. This verse refers to the face and the rest of the body. In fact, the face is the distinguishing part of the woman and it is her most alluring aspect. Allaah also says, {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful}, [al-Ahzaab 59]. Another verse states, {[Tell the believing women] not to reveal their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers,}, [an-Noor 31]. This verse indicates that hijaab is obligatory upon a woman both inside and outside of the country, in front of the Muslims and the non-Muslims. It is not allowed for any woman who believes in Allaah and the Hereafter to be lax in this matter as such is an act of disobedience to Allaah and His Messengers. Furthermore, it leads temptation regardless if it be in or outside the country.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah