Text copied Link copied

Al-Fatawa – home

﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

Scholar
Search mode

What is the ruling on wearing a watch on the left hand?

Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : As for wearing a watch, acquiring a watch, in the past there were pocket watches. These have become a thing of the past with the passage of time and the advancement of watchmaking industries; because wristwatches have become more practical. There is no doubt that the disbelievers invented this watch, and they are the ones who made it, popularized it, and spread it. Now, the whole world, with no difference between Muslims and disbelievers, uses wristwatches because of the benefits in them that are not hidden from any person. So, it has become a necessity of life. But the disbelievers and non-disbelievers who do not care about the details of the rulings of the Shari'ah, at least, they use this wristwatch as the disbelievers do, in terms of placing it on the left hand. So now, no one says that Muhammad ibn Ahmad is placing the watch on his left hand, so he is imitating the disbelievers. Why? Because it is no longer a distinguishing mark. So here, there is no imitation. But here comes the second rule, which is:
Differ from the polytheists خالفوا المشركين
So, when the polytheists invented this watch, by virtue of their customs, traditions, nature, tastes, and so on, they placed the watch on the left hand. So we now differ from the polytheists, so we place it on the right hand. But as for the one who places it on the left hand, we do not say it is imitation. But this one who placed it on the left hand did not respond to his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
Differ from the polytheists خالفوا المشركين
So then, your question requires precise detail in distinguishing what is imitation and what is not imitation, so the problem is solved. Take the second rule: Differ from the polytheists as much as you are able to do so. But this does not solve the problem of imitation between men and women, do you see? Because these are all Muslims, men and women. So then, we return to custom. So whatever is a prevailing custom in his clothing, it is from the clothing of men, so it is not permissible for women to wear it, and vice versa. And there may be clothing shared between the two sexes, so the issue of imitation does not apply here, unlike the disbelievers. So the other rule comes, which is:
Differ from the polytheists خالفوا المشركين
.
Source www.al-albany.com

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

Similar fatwas