What is the ruling on wearing watches plated with gold?

The questioner : The second question: What is the ruling on wearing watches plated with gold, or those adorned with gold?

The Shaykh : Ah, yes. I will give you two answers here, or as some jurists phrase it, a fatwa and a matter of scrupulousness. The fatwa is that it is permissible, because this watch or that pen plated with gold contains a small amount of gold, which is excused and overlooked by the scholars who forbid gold for men. This is from the perspective of the fatwa. As for scrupulousness, I say: leave what causes doubt for what does not cause doubt. Especially since the appearance of this watch or that pen is that it is gold. So when your companion, friend, or fellow sees you adorned with this gold-plated watch—and I do not say gold-made watch—you will enter into a discussion with him, which may or may not bear fruit, but you will become a subject of suspicion in their eyes. There is a narration attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that is not authentic in its wording but is authentic in its meaning. It says: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not stand in places of suspicion." This is the answer: a fatwa and a matter of scrupulousness.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh...