A person suffers from onychomycosis (a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails which causes the fingernails or toenails to thicken, discolor, disfigure, and split). A reliable Muslim doctor has said that the only cure is to cover the nail with a thick wax, and change it every seven days. Will it be permissible for this person to apply the wax and make masah over it, or what alternatives will he have?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is permissible for such a person to make Masah over the wax on the nail if pouring water over the nail will be detrimental/harmful to the nail.[1]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] انكسر ظفره فجعل عليه دواء أو وضعه علي شقوق رجله أجري الماء عليه و ان قدر و الا تركه ( الدر علي التنوير، ج 1، ص 281، ايج ايم سعيد)
انكسر ظفره و جعل عليه دواء أو علكا أو جلدة مرارة و ضره نزعه جاز له المسح و ان ضره المسح تركه ( نور الايضاح، ص 45، علمي ببليشرز)