Many people are keen to trim their nails on Friday morning, relying on a report that encourages it. Yet this appears to conflict with another hadith — “The believer remains in a state of sanctity on Friday until he completes his prayer.” (المؤمن مُحرم يوم الجمعة حتى يقضي صلاته) Though this latter narration is weaker in chain and reliability than the first, caution and scrupulousness call for reconciling the two and acting in a way that avoids disagreement, especially since numerous traditions recommend preparing for Friday from Thursday afternoon [‘Asr onwards]. This strengthens the view that seeks to reconcile between them.

This chosen view has also been affirmed by the unveilings of the people of spiritual insight (ahl al-kashf), who have encouraged it and emphasized reverence for Friday — specifically avoiding acts that involve direct exposure of one’s private parts on that day. It is authentically reported from the Ornament of the Saints and the Imam of the Chosen Ones, our master Ahmad b. Mahammad al-Tijānī — may God be pleased with him — that he said:

“I did not use anything worldly except trimming my nails on Thursday afternoon [‘Asr].”

In this noble saying lies both an exhortation to the Sunna of preparing for Friday on Thursday afternoon, and a subtle reminder to those who follow his path that the world is of little worth — too insignificant for a Tijānī seeker of sound mind to devote his time to it in pursuit or remembrance, as has become common among [many of] the fuqara’ of this age — we seek refuge in God from His displeasure.

The finest manner of performing this act is what Waki‘ narrated with his chain from the Mother of the Believers, [Sayyida ‘A’isha] the Humayrā’ [the ruddy complexioned] (may God be pleased with her and benefit us through her affection and love, and may God curse those who revile her until the Day of Judgment). She said:

“The Messenger of God ﷺ said: When you trim your nails, begin with the little finger, then the middle, then the thumb, then the ring, and then the index finger — for this brings about wealth.”

Perhaps this is what our Shaykh al-Tijānī the trustworthy intended.

Whoever misses this practice should wait until Friday has passed; if he fears that his nails have grown excessively long or that leaving them would cause discomfort, he may then trim them, as well as his mustache and similar grooming acts.

Let those who have been afflicted with shaving the adornment of men beware of shaving their beards on Friday — as some ignorant and individuals of weak faith have made a habit. For beyond being an indication of heedlessness and ignorance, this multiplies the sin and burden, since it combines a prohibited act and an ugly deed contrary to both Sunna and natural disposition — and on the blessed day of Friday, no less.

Let the one who is truly concerned for his soul, seeking his Lord’s pleasure by following His Prophet, beware of removing any part of his body — nail, hair, or the like — while in a state of major ritual impurity (janāba), as some are tempted by the devil to do before the Friday ghusl at dawn. We seek refuge in God from evil suspicion and its people. For that which is removed will come forth on the Day of Resurrection, lodging complaint against its owner.

The most complete manner is to clip the nails and pluck the underarms while in a state of full ablution and purity, and to honor what is removed by burying it in the earth and reciting something over it — such as Qur’an or salawat.

Our noble Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal (God be pleased with him) said regarding God’s words, “Have We not made the earth a gathering place — for the living and the dead?” (77:25-26):

“They place within it what comes from the living — blood, hair, and nails — and within it you bury your dead.”

It is also recommended to wash the area after clipping, particularly if one is in a state of ablution for prayer.

And God alone grants success and right guidance; to Him — exalted be He — is the return and the final resort.

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(1) Some have related an amusing tale about certain merchants who disguised themselves under Tijānī affiliation. One of them arrived in the regions near Khartoum, Sudan, and began addressing a group of disciples about the supposed powers and secret properties of certain Tijānī litanies for attracting wealth and easing worldly affairs. He pressed them insistently for authorization and encouraged them fervently — until, having finished his “spiritual marketing,” he hinted at the gift and payment he expected from his listeners. One of those present mockingly said to him: “Would it not be better for you to use these litanies of wealth on yourself, so that you might spare yourself the humiliation of begging and relieve us of the burden of giving?” The man was left abashed and humiliated, exposed before all.

And just a few days ago, some ___________ visitors came to our land. One of them, as is common among many of them, granted someone permission — from his own whim — in the so-called “secret of folding the earth.” When I was told of it, I laughed and joked, saying: “If only he would use it to fly to Malaysia and wander about there, instead of troubling us and our brothers with the effort of bringing him and taking him back by car!”

We seek refuge in God from disgrace, and from the squandering of time and spiritual state.

~Shaykh Ahmad al-Hadi al-Hasani al-Tijani