If you forget to remove nail polish before performing ghusl, the validity of your ghusl depends on whether the nail polish is permeable or impermeable.
Understanding Permeable vs. Impermeable
To understand the issue, we need to understand what is meant by permeable and impermeable in this context:
- Permeable: A substance that allows water to pass through it.
- Impermeable: A substance that prevents water from passing through it.
The significance of this distinction lies in the requirements for ghusl, which necessitates that water reaches all parts of the body.
Ghusl Validity Based on Nail Polish Type
Here’s a breakdown of how nail polish affects ghusl:
| Nail Polish Type | Permeability | Ghusl Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Impermeable (Most Standard Nail Polishes) | Does not allow water to pass through | Ghusl is not valid. The water cannot reach the nails and surrounding skin, meaning the necessary act of washing the entire body is not completed. |
| Permeable (e.g., Henna, Certain breathable nail polishes) | Allows water to pass through | Ghusl is valid. Water is able to reach the nails and surrounding skin. |
Implications of Invalid Ghusl
If your ghusl is not valid due to impermeable nail polish, it means:
- You are not in a state of ritual purity.
- Prayers and other acts of worship that require ritual purity are not valid.
Solution
- If you realize before starting your prayers or other ritual acts:
- Remove the impermeable nail polish.
- Perform ghusl again to ensure it is done correctly with the entire body receiving water.
- If you realize after completing prayers:
- If the nail polish was impermeable, you should make up the prayers that were offered without valid ghusl.
- Prevention:
- Always remove any nail polish before performing ghusl to avoid issues with ritual purity. Consider using permeable nail polishes if it is a regular practice for you.
Reference:
As stated in Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah (5/218): If the colour is impermeable, then wudu is not valid unless it is removed before doing wudu. If it is not impermeable, then wudu is valid, as is the case with henna.
This ruling on wudu also applies to ghusl since both require water to reach all parts of the body.
