Performers Of Sacrifice Should Not Trim Their Hair And Nails

Commenting on the Hadith which says that those performing sacrifice should not touch their hair and skin at all during the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah, Mufassir al-Shaheer, Hakim al-Ummah Hadrat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan (Alayhir Rahmah) says:

"The rich intending to perform obligatory sacrifice as well as the poor performing voluntary sacrifice should neither cut their nails, hair and dead skin nor get them cut from the appearance of the crescent of Zul-Hijjah to the time of performing sacrifice so that there is some similarity between these performers of sacrifice and Hujjaj who cannot cut these things in the state of Ihram in order that sacrifice serves as a Fidyah (expiation) for every hair and nail. (However) This commandment is preferential, not essential. Therefore, it is better (not obligatory) for the performer of sacrifice not to get his hair, nails etc. cut. It also shows that imitating the righteous is also righteous.

Even those unable to perform sacrifice should not get their hair, nail etc. cut during the first ten days of Zul-Hajjah, instead, they should get hair etc. cut on the Day of Eid after offering Eid Salah. In sha Allah! They will also attain the Reward (of performing sacrifice)." [Mira'at al-Manajih, Vol. 2, Page 370]