If you didn't know, wearing a man 's ring in Islam is a Sunnah. Indeed, our beloved prophet wore one. But how exactly? And on which finger exactly did he wear one? And are there any particular fingers where this is prohibited? To answer all these questions, let's zoom in on the wearing of rings for men in Islam.
The Sunnah for men to wear rings in Islam
Indeed, we know from prophetic tradition, through reported texts, that the prophet and noble messenger himself wore a ring. To prove our assertion, here's one of the authentic haadiths that supports it. According to Anas ibn Malik, the Messenger of Allah wore a silver ring with an Abyssinian gemstone on his right hand, which he turned towards his palm (Reported by Mouslim, 2094).
Similarly, it is reported again from Anas: The Prophet had a ring made for himself. He said: "We chose a ring for ourselves and had it engraved. Let no one engrave anything else on it". Anas said: "It's like I could still see it shining on his ring finger". (Reported by al-Bukhari (5874).
And the haadiths on this subject are numerous. So many, in fact, that they have caused divergence among the community's scholars. In particular, whether the Prophet wore his ring on his left or right hand. We'll tell you all about it in a few lines below.
Wearing a man's ring in Islam: left or right?
As we said, there's some disagreement on this subject. Two opinions stand out.
The first favors the left hand
This opinion is interwoven with Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali doctrines. Indeed, we read in various works of these schools that the majority of ulama choose to wear the ring on the left hand, and that this is preferable.
They base this on arguments such as, among others, the hadith of Anas who said: "The Prophet's ring was worn here, alluding to his left ring finger" (Reported by Mouslim, 2095).
They also explain that the practice of most of the Companions, such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, al-Qassim, Salim and others, was to wear their rings on the left hand.
The second opinion illustrates the Shafiite choice: the right hand
Notably, Imam an-Nawawi says: "What is right and widespread is that it is preferable to wear the ring on the right hand because it is a jewel. But the right hand is nobler". Al-Madjmou, (4/462).
The arguments on which this opinion is based include the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik that we quoted in our first paragraph. But also the one according to Abdullah ibn Djaafar. (Reported by Ahmad in al-Mousnad (3/265).
Finally, some scholars have argued that it is legitimate to wear the ring on the right hand as well as the left, to conform to all the hadiths received .
Now it's time to address another central question about a man's ring in Islam: on which finger exactly?
On which finger should a man wear his ring in Islam?
The Muslim religion allows a man to wear his ring on his little finger. The law also insists that wearing it on the index and middle fingers is detestable.
As the following hadith reported after 'Ali proves. "The Prophet said to me: 'O 'Ali! Ask Allah for guidance and firmness." And he forbade me to wear a ring on this one and that one, and he pointed to the index and middle fingers."
The hadith is therefore clear and unequivocal. To leave you with a few thoughts, let's take a look at the materials a man's ring can be made of in Islam.
The material of a Muslim man's ring
Finally, it's worth highlighting the material involved. Indeed, the ring we're talking about here, for men, must not be made of gold, but only of silver. In fact, the law forbids men to wear gold.
To illustrate our point, the Messenger's words on the subject of wearing gold and silk in particular. Indeed, the Prophet said of gold and silk: "They are permitted for the women of my community and forbidden for men" .