Q: What is the ruling regarding the cutting of hair nails on the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah ,and who is it for? Any proof from Quraan and hadith?
A. It is Mustahabb (preferable and rewarding) for one who intends to make Qurbani (male or female) not to remove hair or nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after the Qurbani is slaughtered. This is mentioned in a narration in Tirmidhi V4 P102.
The purpose of this is emulation of the Haaji.
This is a Mustahabb and not a Waajib (compulsory) practice.
On the other hand, it is Waajib to remove hair under the armpits and pubic hairs at least once every forty days. If one had not removed these and the forty days are up during these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, it will be Waajib to remove them, even if one has intended Qurbani. A Waajib act always takes precedence over a Mustahabb act.
Moulana Yusuf Laher