What kind of silver jewelry are men allowed to wear?

Are muslim men allowed to wear any silver made jewellery like chain in the neck which is very thin and small in size? I know it is allowed to wear a ring but not sure about chain.. Please advice. Jazak Allah

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

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Wearing a silver chain, regardless of its size, is impermissible for men.

This is because chains, necklaces, and earrings are for the beautification of women, and it is not allowed for men to imitate women or vice-versa:

“The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed those men who imitate women and those women that imitate men.”1

The ring is an exception to the rule, because it is established that Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) possessed and wore a silver ring. That too was out of a necessity relating to his (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) administrative and da’wah responsibilities:

“The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) intented to write to Kisra, Ceasar and An-Najashi, so it was said: They do not accept letters without a seal. So the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) got a seal made, the ring of which was made of silver and engraved on it – Muhammad, Messenger of Allah -”2

For those serving in their capacity as rulers, judges, trustees, and the like who need a seal, it is Sunnah for them to wear a silver ring.

For the rest of us, it is permissible to wear a silver ring but it’s better not to wear it, since it is evident that Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) only had the ring made when it became necessary for the purpose of sending letters to rulers and kings3.

Men are limited to a silver ring weighing less than 1 Mithqaal (4.35g) as per an authentic hadith narrated by Imam Abu Dawud (rahmatullahi alayhi) and others.4 5

And Allāh knows best.

Ml. Sohail Bengali
Chicago, IL (USA)

Concurred by:

Muftī Abrar Mirza
Chicago, IL (USA)

Under the Supervision of Muftī Ebrahim Desai (South Africa)

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