Chapter 1: The Prohibition of Wearing Gold Rings for Men and the Permissibility of Silver Rings
Sayyiduna 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنهما relates that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had a gold ring made and he kept the stone (gem) of the ring facing his falm, 'Muhammad Rasool Allah' was engraved in it. The Sahabah رضي الله عنهم likewise had rings made. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saw that they had rings made he threw his away and said, "I will never wear this again." Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم had a silver ring made. The Sahabah رضي الله عنهم likewise had silver rings made. Ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنهما says, "After the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه wore the ring, then Sayyiduna 'Umar رضي الله عنه and then Sayyiduna 'Uthman رضي الله عنه wore the ring until it fell into the well of Arees." [4]
In the early stages of Islaam the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had a gold ring made until he was informed of its prohibition. It was a habit of the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم to follow the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in every aspect of life. When they saw that he had a gold ring made they also had similar rings made. Sayyiduna Jibreel عليه السلام later informed the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that the wearing of gold is prohibited for men, so he took an oath, "I will never wear a gold ring again."
The prohibition of adorning oneself with gold is also understood from the following Ahaadeeth:
Sayyiduna 'Ali رضي الله عنه reports, "The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم took hold of some silk and put it in his right hand and took hold of a piece of gold and put in his left hand and said, 'These two are totally prohibited for the men of my nation.'" [5]
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه relates, "The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prohibited the wearing of a gold ring." [6]
Imam an-Nawawi رحمه الله writes in his commentary of Muslim, "The scholars have agreed upon the fact that it is permissible for women to wear gold rings and forbidden for men. Abu Bakr [7] Ibn Muhammad رحمه الله is of the opinion that it is permissible for men, and some others also say that it is Makrooh (Tanzeeh), not Haraam."
Imam an-Nawawi رحمه الله further writes, "These two opinions are void due to the fact that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, 'Silk and gold is prohibited for the men of my nation and permissible for the women.'" [8]
Imam al-Qurtubi رحمه الله writes in his commentary of Muslim, "The scholars have agreed that it is permissible for men to wear silver rings on a general basis." [9]
Imam Muhammad رحمه الله writes in his Muwatta, "It is not permissible for men to wear gold, metal or copper rings but silver is exempted from these. Whereas there is nothing wrong in women wearing gold rings." [10]
Shaykhul Hadeeth Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله writes in his commentary of Muwatta lil-Malik recording from the author of Muhalla, "The opinion of the four Imam's and the clear majority of the scholars is that it is forbidden for men to wear gold rings. A group of scholars have deemed permissible the wearing of gold rings, among whom is Ishaq Ibn Rahawai رحمه الله based on the Hadeeth recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah رحمه الله, 'Five Sahabah passed away and they were wearing gold rings.'" [11]
As for those among the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم who wore gold rings, Hafidh Ibn Hajar رحمه الله says, "If they were aware of the abrogation they would have also refrained from it." [12]
Mufti Taqi Uthmani حفظه الله writes regarding the statement of Hafidh Ibn Hajar رحمه الله, "It is not possible that this statement is said about Baraa' Ibn 'Aazib رضي الله عنه because he himself narrated a Hadeeth about the prohibition of gold for men. The wording of the Hadeeth is: 'The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered us to carry out seven things and prohibited us from seven.' Under the seven prohibited things he mentioned the wearing of a gold ring for men. It is possible that he interpreted the prohibition as Tanzeeh or he wore the ring assuming the prohibition to be a concession on his behalf. The Hadeeth recorded by Imam Ahmad رحمه الله indicates towards this fact. Muhammad Ibn Malik رحمه الله says, 'I saw Baraa' Ibn 'Aazib رضي الله عنه wearing a gold ring, upon which he said, "The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم distributed some wealth and made me wear this and said, 'Wear that which Allah and His Prophet have given you to wear.'"'" [13]
'Allamah 'Aynee رحمه الله mentions in his commentary of Bukhari names of several Sahabah رضي الله عنهم who wore gold rings:
1. Anas Ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه
2. Baraa' Ibn 'Aazib رضي الله عنه
3. Jaabir Ibn Samura رضي الله عنه
4. Huzhaifah Ibn Yamaan رضي الله عنه
5. Zaid Ibn Arqam رضي الله عنه
6. Zaid Ibn Haaritha رضي الله عنه
7. Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas رضي الله عنه
8. Suhaib Ibn Sinaan رضي الله عنه
9. 'Abdullah Ibn Yazeed رضي الله عنه
10. Abu Usayd رضي الله عنه [14]
'Allamah Teebi رحمه الله writes in his commentary of Mishkaat, "The scholars are unanimous upon the fact that it is permissible for women to wear gold ring and prohibited for men." [15]
What is meant by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم throwing away the ring is explained by 'Allamah Khaleel Ahmad رحمه الله, "It does not mean he destroyed the ring but it means he donated it to the women folk to acquire benefit from or he donated it's value to the poor and needy." [16]
'Allamah Anwar Shah Kashmeeri رحمه الله writes in his commentary of Bukhari, "The conclusion of this subject is, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم at first wore a gold ring which he threw away. At a later stage he had a silver ring made which he kept in his possession." [17]
Hafidh Ibn al-Arabi رحمه الله writes, "When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم intended to write letters to the non-Muslim countries inviting them to Islaam it was said to him, 'They do not accept documents without a stamp of proof.' So for this reason the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had a ring made. Before this he had a fingernail which he used as a stamp." [18]
Hafidh Ibn al-'Arabi رحمه الله is alone in reporting this view (a fingernail was used as a stamp), so on this basis his report will not be accepted.
The letters were sent out to Kisraa, Qaysar and Najaashi. Kisraa was the name of the persian king of that time, Qaysar was the name of the roman king and Najaashi was a title used for the abyssinian (habashi) kings. [19]
Notes:
[4] Imam Bukhari رحمه الله in his Saheeh: Book of 'Clothing' chapter on 'The Silver Ring' Hadeeth #1
[5] Imam Abu Dawood رحمه الله in his Sunan: Chapter on 'Silk for women' Hadeeth #1
[6] Imam Bukhari رحمه الله in his Saheeh: Book of 'Clothing' chapter on 'Gold rings' Hadeeth #2
[7] Abu Bakr Ibn Muhammad Ibn 'Amr Ibn Hazm رحمه الله
[8] Shaykh Shamsudeen رحمه الله in Sharhul Muslim lin-Nawawi (This is an abridged version of al-Minhaaj fi Sharhis-Saheehil-Muslim by Imam an-Nawawi رحمه الله): Chapter on 'The prohibition of wearing a gold ring for men and the abrogation of its permissibility at the beginning of Islam'
[9] Imam al-Qurtubi رحمه الله in al-Mufhim: Chapter on 'The permissibility wearing a silver ring for men'
[10] Imam Muhammad Ibn Hasan ash-Shaybaani رحمه الله in al-Muwatta: Chapter on 'The detestation of wearing a gold ring'
[11] Shaykhul-Hadeeth Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله in Awjazul Masaalik: Chapter on 'The narration's regarding the wearing of a ring'
[12] Hafidh Ibn Hajar رحمه الله in Fathul-Baari: Chapter on 'Gold rings'
[13] Mufti Taqi Uthmaani حفظه الله in Takmilah Fathil-Mulhim: Chapter on 'The prohibition of wearing a gold ring for men and the abrogation of its permissibility at the beginning of Islam'
[14] 'Allamah 'Aynee رحمه الله in 'Umdatul-Qaari: Chapter on 'Gold rings'
[15] 'Allamah Teebi رحمه الله in al-Kaashif 'an Haqaaiqis-Sunan: Chapter on 'The ring'
[16] 'Allamah Khaleel Ahmad Sahaaranpuri رحمه الله in Badhlul-Majhood: Book on 'The Ring' chapter on 'The narration's regarding the making of the ring'
[17] 'Allamah Anwar Shah Kashmeeri رحمه الله in Faidhul-Baari: Chapter on 'The Prophet threw away his ring'
[18] Hafidh Ibn al-'Arabi al-Maaliki رحمه الله in 'Aaridhatul-Ahwazi: Book on 'Clothing' chapter on 'The element which is desirable as a gem of a ring'
[19] Muhaddith 'Ali al-Qaari رحمه الله in Mirqaatul-Mafaateeh: Chapter on 'The ring'
