[Q 443] Disposal of Nails and Hair in Islam, Ruling on Throwing Away Trimmings, Should Hair and Nails Be Buried?

QUESTION:

I’ve herd that after cutting nails or hair the trimmings should be buried underground, but is it also ok to just wash them down the sink or throw them in the bin?

ANSWER:

Nails and hair that are separated from the body should be buried. Throwing them into the washroom or toilet is Makrooh (disliked). If they are thrown there, then water should be poured over them so that they are washed away.

Likewise, placing them in the bin is not a sin, but it is better that they be buried somewhere. If they must be put into a bin, then they should be wrapped in something first.

Imam Ibn Mazah Hanafi writes:

“ولو قلم أظفاره أو جز شعره يجب أن يدفن، وإن رمى فلا بأس، وإن رماه في الكنيف والمغتسل فهو مكروه، ويغسل؛ لأنه يورث الداء.”

(Al-Muheet al-Burhani, Vol. 5, p. 376, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah)

In Fatawa Shami it is stated:

“فإذا قلم أظفاره أو جز شعره ينبغي أن يدفنه فإن رمى به فلا بأس وإن ألقاه في الكنيف أو في المغتسل كره لأنه يورث داء خانية ويدفن أربعة الظفر والشعر وخرقة الحيض والدم عتابية.”
(Fatawa Shami, Vol. 6, p. 405, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut)

Sayyidi Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رحمۃ الله تعالی said:
“Bury the hair, and always bury whatever separates from the body such as hair, nails, or skin.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 6th September 2025