Q. I read that only gold and silver rings are permissible to wear, but someone said that there is no proof in hadith for it. Please give evidence for it.
A. The Prophet (SAW) allowed women to wear gold rings (and jewellery) and he forbade men from wearing these. In one narration, the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Gold and silk are permitted to the women of my Ummah (nation) and forbidden to the men’. (Tirmizi, Ahmad, Nasai)
On one occasion, the Prophet (SAW) saw a man with a gold ring on his hand, he removed it and hurled it unto the ground. He then said, ‘One of you takes an amber from the fire (of hell) and then puts it on his hand? (Muslim)
With respect to wearing silver rings, this has been allowed for men (as well as women).
Anas (R.A) reports that the Prophet (SAW) wore a silver ring, upon which the inscription of Muhammad, Rasool, Allah was engraved on it. (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)
Anas (R.A) reports that the Prophet (SAW) took a ring made of silver and he inscribed the words Muhammad, Rasool, Allah on it. It remained on his hand until he died. Then it came on the hand of Abu Bakr (R.A) until he died, then on the hand of Umar (R.A) until he died and then it came on the hand of Uthman (R.A) until it fell from him into the well of Arees where it was lost’. (Tirmizi, Abu Dawood, Nasai).
With respect to a male wearing a ring made from silver alone, this is evident from the tradition in which it is stated that a man came to the Prophet (SAW) and on his hand was an iron ring. Upon this, the Prophet (SAW) said, ’Why is it that I see upon you the jewellery of the people of the fire. Then the man came again and on his hand was a ring made of brass. Upon this, the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Why is it I get from you the scent of idols’. The man then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, from what should I take a ring? The Prophet (SAW) said. ‘take it from silver, but do not let it reach one Mithqaal (approximately 4.373 grams)’. (Recorded by Abu Dawood, Tirmizi, Nasai).
Based on the different traditions regarding this, the jurist (Fuqaha) have stated that a man must not take a ring except from silver, and there is a clear text that shows that wearing rings made of stone, iron or brass is totally haram. (Jamius Sageer – Nasbur Rayah Vol.4 / Pg. 534).
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan