Q:

Salam. I would like to ask whether it is permissible for Muslim men to wear platinum rings. I know that gold and silk are haram for men. However, since platinum specifically is not quoted in hadiths to be haram, people prefer wearing it. Since now the ruling falls in the hands of scholars, i have noticed mixed views on wearing platinum rings by men. On the other hand, I know platinum is a mixture of gold and other metals but the major proportion is of gold, hence i believe its haram too. Please guide me properly.

A:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu waRahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Strictly speaking, according to the rule of jurisprudence, it is allowed for men to wear a platinum ring. However, we must never apply the divine law by looking at the letter alone. Instead, we should be more concerned with the spirit of the laws.

We know that gold is forbidden for males; the rationale was it was a sign of ostentatious display of wealth, which would be breaking the heart of the poor and the less fortunate.

When you consider the spirit of the law, then using platinum, which may be even more expensive than gold and thus signify a greater act of ostentation, should be equally shunned.

That s is the lesson that the pious caliph Umar b. Abd al-Aziz wanted to teach his son.

When he heard that his son had bought a ring worth of a thousand dirhams, he wrote a letter ordering him to sell it and buy a ring for a dirham with an inscription, ‘may Allah have mercy on him who knows his true status (in this world)’  He also ordered him to donate the rest of the money to feed  a thousand hungry people.”

So, I would advise you against it and get a silver ring. Men are allowed to wear silver rings; the Prophet and his companions used to wear silver rings.

By giving away the money you save to feed the poor (mind you millions all over the world are living under subhuman living conditions), you will gain tremendous blessings.

Almighty Allah Knows best.