Can Muslim men trim their nose and ear hair?

Cleanliness is part of the faith

Islam gives grooming real importance. The Prophet ﷺ listed five acts of the fitrah (natural human disposition): circumcision, removing pubic hair, trimming the moustache, clipping the nails and removing armpit hair (Sahih al-Bukhari 5889). In another narration he named ten, including rinsing the nose with water during washing (Sahih Muslim 261). Nose and ear hair isn't named in these lists, but scholars say the spirit is clear: remove what is untidy or collects dirt. See What is fitrah hygiene in Islam?

Trim or pluck?

Trimming with small scissors or an electric trimmer is the safest choice. Plucking nose hair isn't haram, but many doctors advise against it, since nose hair filters dust and germs and plucking can cause infections. The well-known prohibition on "plucking" (namas) in hadith refers to the eyebrows, not nose or ear hair. So you're free to choose the method, and following your doctor's advice is part of looking after the body Allah gave you.

Is there a time limit?

For the fitrah acts, Anas ibn Malik said they were given a limit of not leaving them for more than forty days (Sahih Muslim 258). Scholars apply this as a general guideline for grooming. For nose and ear hair, simply trim whenever it becomes visible or bothers you. A quick check once a week, when you clip your nails, works for most people.

Does it affect wudu or prayer?

• Trimming hair does not break wudu. See Does cutting my nails or hair break wudu?
• You don't need to bury the cut hair; throwing it away in the bin is fine.
• There's no special dua or day required, though many people like to groom before Friday prayer.

Other grooming questions, such as pubic hair, follow the same principle of cleanliness. See Do Muslims have to shave their pubic hair?