Allahﷻ has created everything on the earth for us. If there is anything that is not allowed, then the Messenger of Allahﷻ will inform us, or Allahﷻ Himself will declare it forbidden. Therefore, if Allahﷻ or His Messenger says something is prohibited, we leave that aside; everything else remains permissible in the religion. This must be understood as a general principle.
Regarding ornaments, if you ask what has been prohibited for us: for men, wearing gold as an ornament has been prohibited. Wearing gold jewellery is forbidden. However, keeping gold biscuits is not prohibited. Buying gold jewellery and keeping it as property is not prohibited. What is prohibited is wearing gold as an ornament. The Prophetﷺ forbade men from wearing gold jewellery. In fact, in the beginning it was permitted. He himself wore a gold ring. Later he removed it and prohibited it. This prohibition applies to men.
So, just as gold has been prohibited, we must look at what else has been specifically prohibited. Whatever is prohibited must be avoided; whatever has not been prohibited falls under the general permission.
Even regarding gold, although the Messenger of Allahﷻ forbade it, he did not prohibit it in its entirety without qualification. In a hadith reported in Sunan an-Nasa’i and other books, it is mentioned that the Prophetﷺ forbade gold except for a small amount. There is a narration explaining this. It is reported that Mu‘awiyah (RA) once asked a gathering of Companions: “Do you know that the Messenger of Allahﷻ forbade the use of gold except in small amounts?” The Companions affirmed that they knew this. This was said with the approval of many Companions.
So, if a man wears a ring or a chain made of silver or some other metal, and there is a small portion of gold in it, that is not a sin. For example, if a silver ring has a tiny amount of gold mixed or plated on it, there is no wrongdoing.
Similarly, with gold-plated (covering) jewellery: there are two types. One type is simply colored or gilded to look like gold, without containing actual gold. There is no issue in wearing that. Another type is lightly plated with real gold over silver or iron so that it does not tarnish quickly. Only a very small quantity of gold is used—often less than half a percent of the total weight. In such a case, although there is some gold present, it is not considered a complete prohibition. The gold is only a thin coating, like ink brushed lightly on the surface. Therefore, wearing such gold-plated items is permissible.
Now, regarding rings: wearing a silver ring is permitted. The Messenger of Allahﷻ wore one. Even if he had not worn it, it would still be permitted, because only gold has been specifically prohibited. When gold is prohibited, all other metals remain permissible unless there is clear evidence forbidding them.
However, many scholars have said that iron rings, copper rings, brass rings, or bronze rings are not allowed, and that only silver should be worn. They base this on a hadith in which a man came to the Prophetﷺ wearing an iron ring, and the Prophetﷺ said, “Why do I see on you the ornament of the people of Hell?” The man then removed it and later wore a brass ring, and the Prophetﷺ remarked about the smell of idols. Then he came wearing a gold ring, and the Prophetﷺ forbade it, saying that gold is for the people of Paradise. The man then asked what he should wear, and the Prophetﷺ said: “Wear silver.” This narration appears in Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi, but it is reported through ‘Abdullah ibn Muslim, who is considered weak. Because of this weakness, many scholars have not accepted this hadith as authentic.
On the other hand, there are authentic narrations that clearly permit iron rings. In one well-known hadith, a man wished to marry a woman and had nothing to give as mahr (bridal gift). The Prophetﷺ asked him, “Do you not have even an iron ring?” If iron were prohibited, would the Prophetﷺ have suggested it? In another narration in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5150), the Prophetﷺ said, “Even if it is an iron ring, give something as mahr.” This clearly shows that iron is permissible.
Therefore, a man may wear rings made of iron, copper, brass, silver, platinum, or any other metal. Only gold is prohibited for men. No one has the right to declare other metals forbidden without clear evidence.
Now, regarding gemstones set in rings—diamonds, cat’s eye, garnet, pearls, coral, rubies, and many other precious stones—some of these are more expensive than gold. There is no prohibition on wearing such stones for men or women. Some argue that because they are expensive or luxurious, they should not be worn. But prohibition is not based on price. Gold was prohibited for men not because of its price, but because the Prophetﷺ said that gold and silk are for the men of this ummah in Paradise and thus prohibited for them in this world.
There is no text prohibiting platinum or diamonds. Therefore, gemstones may be used in rings, watches, clothing buttons, or even footwear if someone wishes. Allahﷻ has created adornment (zinah) for people. If Allahﷻ had wanted to forbid something, He would have clearly forbidden it.
However, one must avoid pride and arrogance. Wearing a diamond ring is not sinful in itself, but looking down on others or boasting is sinful. The sin lies in arrogance, not in the ornament.
Regarding which finger to wear a ring on, there are narrations attributed to ‘Ali (Raliallahu Anhu) stating that the Prophetﷺ forbade wearing rings on certain fingers. But these narrations are inconsistent and unclear. In some versions, he points to one pair of fingers; in others, to different fingers; in yet others, the narrator is unsure which fingers were meant. Meanwhile, there are many authentic narrations showing that the Prophetﷺ wore his ring on the little finger of the right hand and also on the left hand. Because of this confusion and contradiction, no firm ruling can be derived prohibiting specific fingers. Therefore, a ring may be worn on any finger. Avoiding the thumb may be practical due to comfort and wear, but there is no religious prohibition.
Finally, regarding women wearing gold, the overwhelming majority of scholars (about 95%) agree that gold jewelry is permissible for women. A minority cite a narration about Fatimah (may Allahﷻ be pleased with her) removing a gold ornament after being warned. But this incident occurred in the early period before zakat was legislated. At that time, hoarding gold and silver without spending in the path of Allahﷻ was severely warned against. Later, when zakat was made obligatory, keeping gold became permissible as long as zakat is paid.
The Prophetﷺ clearly stated that gold and silk are prohibited for the men of his ummah and permitted for its women. Therefore, women may wear gold jewellery without any problem.
There are still further details related to jewelry, which, God willing, can be seen in the upcoming posts.