Do I have to stop cutting my hair and nails before qurbani?
It depends on the school you follow, but it's at least recommended. The Prophet ﷺ told those planning a qurbani not to cut their hair or nails once Dhul Hijjah begins, until their animal is sacrificed. The Hanbali school treats this as a firm rule, the Shafi'i and Maliki schools say cutting is disliked, and the Hanafi school sees it as optional. It applies only to the person offering the qurbani.
The hadith
Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "If anyone of you intends to offer sacrifice he should not get his hair cut or nails trimmed" (Sahih Muslim 1977). Another wording adds that this applies "after he has entered the first days of Dhu'l Hijja." Scholars see it as a way for the one sacrificing to share a little in the spirit of the pilgrims in ihram.
How the schools differ
- Hanbali: cutting hair or nails in this period is not allowed (haram) for the one sacrificing. If it happens, there's no penalty: just ask Allah's forgiveness.
- Shafi'i and Maliki: it's makruh (disliked), and refraining is a Sunnah.
- Hanafi: not disliked, though many Hanafi scholars still encourage holding back as good practice.
Whatever you follow, cutting by mistake doesn't make your qurbani invalid. It still counts.
The practical details
- When it starts: at sunset on the evening the month of Dhul Hijjah begins, that is, the night before the 1st.
- When it ends: once your animal has been slaughtered, usually on Eid day after the prayer. If it's done abroad, go by the confirmation from the charity. See Can I pay for qurbani abroad instead of locally?
- Who it applies to: the person paying for and offering the qurbani. According to most scholars, family members included in the reward aren't bound by it.
- What it covers: head hair, beard, mustache, body hair and nails, including shaving and waxing.
- Decided late? If you only decide to offer qurbani midway through the ten days, start holding back from that moment.
Exceptions and real life
Islam doesn't ask for harm. A broken nail that hurts, a medical procedure that needs shaving, or a hygiene issue are all fine to deal with. Ten days is short, so most people plan ahead: a haircut and a nail trim on the last day of Dhul Qadah. Cutting nails at the usual times is otherwise a normal Sunnah. See Is it okay to cut my nails at night?
- Only the person offering qurbani needs to hold back.
- From the start of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is done.
- Hanbali: forbidden; Shafi'i and Maliki: disliked; Hanafi: optional.
- Needs and mistakes don't invalidate your qurbani.
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