No, you cannot perform valid namaz (prayer) with nail polish if it prevents water from reaching your skin during wudu (ablution).
Understanding the Issue
The validity of namaz depends on performing a proper wudu. Wudu requires washing specific body parts, including the hands and nails. If nail polish, whether acrylic or any other type, creates a barrier preventing water from reaching the skin underneath, then the wudu is not valid, and consequently, the namaz is also invalid. This applies to all types of nail polish, including those marketed as "breathable," as their permeability may not be sufficient for proper ablution.
Solutions and Practical Insights
- Remove nail polish before wudu: The most reliable solution is to remove nail polish before performing wudu and namaz.
- Use nail polish remover: Ensure you have nail polish remover readily available.
- Consider henna: Some Islamic scholars point to the Prophet Muhammad's encouragement of henna for nail decoration as a permissible alternative.
Several sources confirm that the issue isn't the nail polish itself, but its impact on the wudu process. The inability to properly cleanse the nails due to the nail polish invalidates the wudu, rendering any subsequent namaz invalid. If you have prayed with nail polish preventing proper ablution, it’s advisable to consult with a knowledgeable Islamic scholar.
