Question:
What is the ruling on men wearing jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, or rings?
Answer:
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Jewelry for men falls under the category of zina (adornment), and the rulings regarding it are based on clear prophetic texts, as well as the guidelines established by the scholars.
First: Evidence from the Sunnah
The Prophet ﷺ forbade men from wearing gold and silk, as in the hadith:
أخذ رسول الله ﷺ حريراً في يمينه وذهباً في شماله وقال: “هذان حرام على ذكور أمتي، حل لإناثهم”
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took silk in his right hand and gold in his left and said: ‘These two are haram for the males of my ummah, and halal for its females.’”
(Abu Dawud, Nasa’i – Sahih)
As for silver rings, they are explicitly permitted. The Prophet ﷺ wore a silver ring, and many of his companions did as well, and this practice is considered permissible by consensus among the scholars.
Second: General Scholarly Agreement
All four madhāhib are in agreement that men are prohibited from wearing anything that imitates women’s adornment or the adornment of the people of fujur (fujur refers to immoral, sinful, and corrupt individuals who engage in acts of disobedience to Allah).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
لعن الله المتشبهين من الرجال بالنساء والمتشبهات من النساء بالرجال
“Allah has cursed the men who imitate women and the women who imitate men.”
(Bukhari)
This applies to adornments that are distinctly feminine, such as necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, when worn by men. Anything that brings about the imitation of women or immoral people is not permissible.
Third: Clarification on Custom (Urf)
While urf (customary practices) plays a role in determining what is permissible in different cultures, we must be cautious in this context. For instance, necklaces may be considered masculine in some cultures; however, it is important to recognize that the culture in which these necklaces are worn often includes men who engage in behaviors that are far from Islamic principles—such as embracing un-Islamic values or engaging in immoral actions.
Therefore, while urf may allow certain adornments like necklaces to be worn by men in some cultures, if those who wear them are seen as corrupt or immoral, it is better to avoid imitating them. The cultural association with sin makes it impermissible for Muslims to follow such trends, as we are commanded to uphold modesty and avoid the practices of those who lead sinful lifestyles.
Modern items such as rings, watches, or even certain bracelets—when they are not styled in a feminine way and are commonly used by men—are not prohibited. Urf plays a role in recognizing what is masculine and acceptable in society.
If a bracelet is worn for medical or identification purposes, or it is clearly styled in a way associated with men, it would not fall under forbidden adornment. Likewise, watches and masculine accessories are permissible, provided they do not cross into the territory of vanity or gender imitation.
Thus, anything that resembles the practices of women or the people of fujur, even if considered permissible in some cultures, should be avoided to maintain Islamic identity and values.
Wallahu a’lam