43/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4363 — Hair and Nails in Dhul-Hijjah
The One Who Wishes To Offer A Sacrifice Should Not Remove Any Of His Hair
Dhul-Hijjah Sacrifice Preparation: Leave Hair and Nails
Sunan an-Nasai : 4363
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4363
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ الأَحْلاَفِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، قَالَ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ، فَدَخَلَتْ أَيَّامُ الْعَشْرِ فَلاَ يَأْخُذْ مِنْ شَعْرِهِ وَلاَ أَظْفَارِهِ . فَذَكَرْتُهُ لِعِكْرِمَةَ فَقَالَ أَلاَ يَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ وَالطِّيبَ .
It was narrated that Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyab said: "Whoever wants to offer a sacrifice when dhul-Hijjah begins, let him not remove anything from his hair or nails." I (the narrator) mentioned that to 'Ikrimah, and he said: "Should he not also keep away from women and perfume?"
[1] The Shaikh has graded this narration Ṣaḥīh , and said that it preceded in No. 4366. Perhaps he means that it is Ṣaḥīh in meaning. As for the chain – and it contains that – it is statement of 'Ikrimah, weak by itself since it is narrated by Shaikh bin 'Abdullāh. Similarly Shaikh Al-Albānī and others graded it weak, and removed the need to speculate about why 'Ikrimah made such statement. And Allāh knows best.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4363In-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 5, Book 43, Hadith 4368
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4363
This report states that when the days of Dhul-Hijjah begin, a person who wants to offer a sacrifice should not remove anything from the hair or nails. It is a direct statement from Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyab in the text. The narrator then mentions it to Ikrimah, who asks whether the person should also avoid women and perfume. That final sentence is presented as a question, not as a stated command in this report. For that reason, the clear teaching here remains the qurbani hair and nails practice. Readers should not turn Ikrimah’s question into an extra rule based on this text alone. The hadith wording supports careful reading and keeps statements separate from questions.
What we learn from this hadith
- The intended sacrificer is told to leave hair and nails when Dhul-Hijjah begins.
- The statement about hair and nails is clearly expressed in the report.
- Ikrimah’s words about women and perfume appear as a question, not a command.
