Is it okay to cut my nails at night?

Clipping nails is part of the fitrah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Five practices are characteristics of the fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5891).

Fitrah means the natural, clean state humans were created in. Keeping your nails short is part of looking after that.

The 40-day limit

Anas ibn Malik reported that a time limit was set for these grooming habits, including cutting the nails: they shouldn't be neglected for more than forty nights (Sahih Muslim 258). In practice, most people trim them every week or two.

Where the "not at night" idea comes from

In parts of South Asia, Turkey, East Asia and elsewhere, people believe cutting nails at night brings bad luck, invites evil spirits or shortens your life. These are folk beliefs, not Islamic teachings. Islam actually rejects belief in bad omens, as explained in Is it haram to whistle?

So cut your nails whenever it suits you: morning, evening or right before bed.

Other common nail questions

• A special day? Some narrations recommend Friday, but they're weak. Any day is fine.
• Which finger first? Some scholars suggest starting with the right hand, following the general sunnah of starting good things with the right.
• What to do with clippings? Some scholars recommend burying them, but it isn't required. Throwing them in the trash is fine.
• Long nails and wudu: water needs to reach the whole nail. Very long nails can trap dirt, which is one more reason to keep them short.

Another common myth: that you shouldn't cut your nails or hair while you need a ghusl (the full ritual shower). Some scholars mention it as disliked, but there's no strong evidence for it. If you need to trim your nails before showering, go ahead.

For questions about polish, see Can I pray with nail polish on?