In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Rulings on Wearing a Ring

(In the light of Hadith)

Prohibition of gold rings for men

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man wearing a gold ring. The Prophet ﷺ removed it from his hand, threw it away, and rebuked him, saying: “One of you takes a burning coal from the Fire and puts it on his hand?” After the Prophet ﷺ left, the man was told: “Pick up your ring and benefit from it (by selling it).” He replied, “By Allah, I will never take something that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has thrown away.” (Sahih Muslim)

Hazrat Ali (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the wearing of garments dyed with saffron, the wearing of gold rings, and the recitation of the Qur’an while in the state of bowing (rukū‘). (Sahih Muslim)

Permission of silver rings

Hazrat Anas (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ intended to write letters to Kisra, Caesar, and Negus. It was said to him that they did not accept letters without a seal. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had a silver ring made, on which the words “Muhammad Rasul Allah” were engraved. (Sahih Muslim)

This ring is reported to be preserved in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, along with the Prophet’s ﷺ sword and other relics (Allah knows best).

Hazrat Anas (RA) also reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wore a silver ring on his right hand, with an Abyssinian-style stone, and he kept the engraved side facing the palm. (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Hazrat Buraidah (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said to a man who was wearing a brass ring: “Why do I smell the odor of idols from you?” The man threw it away. He then came wearing an iron ring, and the Prophet ﷺ said: “Why do I see on you the adornment of the people of Hell?” The man threw it away and asked: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, from what metal should I make a ring?” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “From silver, but let its weight be less than one mithqal.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan al-Nasa’i)

There are narrations discouraging the wearing of iron rings; rather, the Prophet ﷺ regarded them as worse than gold in this context.

Use of gold in cases of necessity

Abdur Rahman bin Tarfah reported that his grandfather Arfajah bin As‘ad (RA) had his nose cut off during the battle of Kulab. He had a silver nose made, but it developed a foul odor, so the Prophet ﷺ permitted him to have a nose made of gold. (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan al-Nasa’i)

In general, wearing gold—whether in the form of rings or jewelry—is strictly prohibited for men, except in cases of genuine necessity. (Allah knows best)

Nowadays, it is sometimes observed that men wear gold rings or chains—often as a display of status or pride. A believer, however, is expected to live according to the principles of Islam rather than worldly show. May Allah grant us the ability to follow the true teachings of Islam and live our lives in accordance with His guidance. Ameen.