The official definition of fatwa is a non-binding, yet authoritative legal opinion given by a mufti (legal scholar) in response to a question posed by an individual or a court of law. In this specific case, the question posed was, “Is it permissible to apply nail polish? Many women apply nail polish when they go to parties and weddings. A lot of women apply nail polish and grow their nails. Is it permissible for men and women to grow nails and apply nail polish?” -translated. The name of the person requesting this opinion is Mohammed Tufail from Muzaffarnagar. The response given was “Yes, they can apply nail polish provided it doesn’t contain any impure material. Moreover, since the act of applying nail polish creates a layer, till the time it is not cleaned, water doesn’t reach the nail. Unless it is removed, neither Wuzu (ablution before Namaz) nor Ghusl (ritual washing of the body) can be completed. That is why it is necessary to remove this layer prior to Wuzu or Ghusl. Men and women can grow nails up to 40 days and after that you have to cut the nails..” -translated. The fatwa doesn’t term nail polish as un-Islamic or illegal as claimed in ANI’s tweet.