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Shaykh Sulaymaan ar-Ruhaylee said:
The scholars of fiqh have stated that it is from the Sunnah to wash the fingers after trimming the nails.
What is their basis for this? They stated that it is because the nails are a likely place for dirt to accumulate.
[And] the Prophet ﷺ mentioned in his saying[1]:
«[There are] ten acts of the fitrah»[and] mentioned [amongst them is]:
«washing of the بَرَاجِم»– and the بَرَاجِم are places where dirt collects – such as the knuckles and joints of the fingers.
Therefore, it is part of the fitrah that they be washed and diligently cleaned because dirt accumulates there.
They [the scholars of fiqh] reasoned: The same applies to the area beneath the nails. So when they are trimmed, it is a likely place for dirt [to accumulate], so it is from the Sunnah to wash them.
[I say] this is a sound and valid opinion.
Yes.
[1] ‘Aa.ishah reported: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said:
«[There are] ten acts of the fitrah: trimming the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the toothstick, sniffing water into the nose, clipping the nails, washing of the بَرَاجِم [knuckles and joints of the fingers], removing hair from the underarms, shaving the pubic hair, and cleaning the private parts with water.»
Mus’ab said: “I forgot the tenth, except that it might be rinsing the mouth.”
Saheeh Muslim, no.261
Translation originally published on 12 December, 2025
