1) It is Mustahabb (commendable and desirable) to pair the finger nails
every Friday. Only a Mujahid is exempted from this and it is preferrable
that he lenghtens his nails because it can be used as a weapon to attack the
enemy. It was aso the blessed habit of Nabi alaihis salaam that he would
pair his nails and not let them grow long. It is also noted in the books on
Jurisprudence that he who lengthens his nails, his sustenance and income
becomes straitened and restricted. (Shaami vol. 6 pg. 405, H.M. Saeed).
Also, one should remenber that at the time of wudhu it is necessary for the
validity of the wudhu that water reaches below the nails if the nails are
longer than normal. Many a times women are busy in their choirs of the
kitchen wherein different types of ingredients tend to stick under the nails
and if not removed, Wudhu will be invalid if it does reach the bottom of the
nails. Therefore it will not be permissible to keep long nails
unnecessarily.
2) The virtues concerning these surahs are normally mentioned for when they
are recited in the night. According to Islam, night will refer to that time
after Maghrib Salaat and not the time before the salaat of Maghrib.
Therefore, these surahs will have to recited in their respective specified
times in order to reap the complete benefits and rewards.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai