1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

36 Questions

Are we allowed to wear rings on all fingers of both hands?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is recommended to wear ring or rings on the right hand or both hands but not to leave the right hand with out ring. Obviously, ring for man must not be from gold because wearing gold is forbidden for men.

It is Makrouh (disliked) to wear any ring in any of these three figures: palm, index and middle. We have narrations that wearing rings in any of these three fingered was practiced by enemies of the Prophets e.g. people of Nooh and Lut.

Wassalam
Is it allowed to wear rings on both hands for a man or a woman?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Yes it is allowed to wear rings in both hands but it is disliked (Makrouh) to leave the right hand with out ring and wear ring on the left hand only.

Wassalam.
Why is wearing a gold ring not allowed for men?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

There are two things specifically haram for men to wear in this dunya: Gold and pure silk (there are exemptions). These two items are adornments exclusively for women in this dunya, and for both men and women in the akhirah. 

In addition to it being prohibited for men, if a male was to wear gold or silk in prayer, their prayer will be invalid.

There are certain studies that point to the physical harms of gold for men, like imbalance of blood cells, it being a negative mineral for males, and other such information, (for example see: http://jhsme.muq.ac.ir/article-1-15-fa.pdf) but ultimately the primary evidence are the ahadith mentioned on this issue.

And Allah knows best.
Why is wearing a ring stone beneficial to Muslims?
Amina Inloes

There are a number of hadith in Sunni and Shi'i books, especially Shi'i books, on the merits of wearing rings, especially an 'aqiq (carnelian) ring on the right hand.

It is narrated that the angel Jibra'il descended to the Prophet (S) from Paradise and said, "O Muhammad, wear an 'aqiq ring, and command your ummah to do the same." 

It is also narrated that the angel Jibra'il descended to the Prophet (S) and said, "Your Lord conveys his salaam," and then told the Prophet (S) to wear an 'aqiq ring and command his cousin [i.e. Imam 'Ali (A)] to do the same.

A narration says that this is because 'aqiq was the first stone to bear witness to Allah's lordship, the Prophet's prophethoold, and Imam 'Ali's successorship. 

While many Muslims do wear religious rings, over time, it became particularly associated with the practice of the Shi'a and the Imams, and so one can say it became part of the tradition. Perhaps this is why wearing a ring is described in a narration as one of the signs of a believer. 

The Prophet (S) also was said to have worn a signet ring, i.e. a ring with a seal which is used as a a stamp on wax to sign a letter, as was a common custom in the past. So, wearing a ring (albeit this kind of ring without a stone) can also be seen as a Prophetic practice from this angle.

Additionally, there are a number of narrations (correctly or incorrectly, God knows best) attributed to the Imams (A) describing the merits of wearing specific stones. For instance:

* 'Aqiq (carnelian): strengthening faith, protection, protection from poverty, dispelling melancholy 
* Turquoise: protection from poverty, acceptance of du'a
* Hadid sini (hematite): overcoming fear 
* Ruby, emerald, and sapphire: overcoming poverty
* Durr-e-najaf (a type of quartz) is also said to have many blessings and to have been made an affordable stone for the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (A).

Anyway, it is good to wear a ring with the intent of following the tradition of the Prophet (S) and Imams (A); or out of hope that it may offer these benefits, spiritual or material; or even if one simply likes it. (After all, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.) However, it is better not to get too caught up in these things and put faith in the material over the immaterial; that is, faith should first be in Allah, and physical things such as rings are only secondary factors. It is also fine if one prefers not to wear a ring.