Q. Is there any basis for the famous practice of cutting the hand nails starting from the index finger of the right hand and finishing on the thumb of the left hand? In addition to the cutting of the toe nails starting from the baby toe of the right foot and ending on the baby toe of the left foot?
A. There is no specific procedure in cutting the hand and toe nails as mentioned above. More so, to consider it to be Sunnah or Mustahab has no basis in Shariah. A person may cut their hand and toe nails in any way that is convenient.
However, it was the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam to begin from the right in every good action. As such, a person may suffice by beginning to cut his hand and toe nails from the right. (Ahsanul Fataawa 9/82)
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa