Answer
Short Answer:
- Yes, generally. But there are a few caveats, namely that gold rings are not permissible for men to wear.
- People should not wear jewelry to show off their wealth, it’s not good to wear rings with Allah’s name or Quran on them, and we must never wear jewelry thinking it will protect us from evil.
- Wedding rings are fine, too, and not a bid’ah as some have said, but a cultural expression of commitment to one’s spouse.
As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Thank you for submitting your question to us.
As far as my knowledge extends, there is nothing in the Quran or the Sunnah that would prohibit the wearing of rings for Muslims.
There are a couple of caveats as far as rings in general go, as well as wedding rings.
Wearing gold for men
It is widely regarded in Islam that wearing gold is forbidden for men.
It has been reported by Ibn Majah that the Prophet Muhammad said:
“These two are haram for the men among my followers, but halal for women,”
…whilst holding some silk in his right hand and gold in his left.
Wearing the name of Allah
Typically, it is ill-advised for Muslims to wear the name of Allah.
The rationale behind this opinion is because it is disrespectful to wear the name of Allah into a bathroom.
Theoretically, one could remove the ring before entering the toilet, but it may be better simply to avoid that situation altogether.
Furthermore, it is very easy to unintentionally fall into the belief that wearing the name of Allah of a verse of the Quran would protect you from harm.
This is a belief that borders dangerously close to shirk. No piece of jewelry, clothing, or amulet can protect you.
Only Allah Himself can.
Don’t be prideful
Another caveat is not to be boastful or prideful in your jewelry.
There is nothing wrong with wearing jewelry pieces, including rings, because you like them or you find them beautiful.
But be careful to steer your heart clear of the intention to show off to others.
Wear your ring because you like it – not because you want others to envy it.
Are wedding rings bid’ah?
There is a well-circulated theory that wearing wedding rings is haraam because it is a forbidden innovation, or bid’ah.
Bid’ah is defined as something that is introduced to Islam without precedent in scripture.
Therefore, wearing a wedding ring would be bid’ah if people were claiming it to be part of the Islamic wedding ceremony, or if a ring were necessary to make a marriage binding.
But partaking in cultural practices is not bid’ah. Oftentimes it is encouraged!
As long as no one is stating that wearing a wedding ring is required Islamically, then there is nothing about it that suggests bid’ah.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/women-issues/ear-piercing-women/