Continuation of the explanation of the author's statement: "And it is permissible for a man to have a ring of silver."
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The author said in tonight's lesson: "And it is permissible for a man to have a ring of silver". The ring is the passive subject, meaning it is permissible, i.e., Allah has made it permissible. It should be known that when the actor is added or when the actor is omitted in the chapter of legislation or in the chapter of creation, it is only omitted because it is known, for the Creator is Allah and the Legislator is Allah. So here, "it is permissible"—who is it that makes things permissible and forbidden? Allah, Mighty and Majestic. So Allah has made it permissible for a man to have a ring of silver. The ring, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made a ring of silver, and it is well known that we have in the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a good example. And no one should say that this is specific to him, for the original ruling is the absence of specificity. So whoever claims specificity in something the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did, he must provide evidence. All right.
So it is permissible for him to have a ring, and the apparent meaning of the author's words is that it is permissible whether he takes it for a need, for imitation, or for adornment, due to the generality of the statement. As for the one who takes it for a need, it is like one who has a role in the community, such as a ruler, an emir, a minister, a manager, or the like, whose seal people need. He takes it for a need because keeping it on his finger is safer than putting it in his pocket, for putting it in his pocket might cause it to fall or be stolen, unlike when it is on the finger. And as for the one who takes it by imitation, it is like what many people do now, where one person takes a ring and another imitates him in that, not wanting adornment, but because the custom of the people of his land is to take a ring, so he took one. And as for the one who takes it for adornment, it is known that he wants to adorn himself with it, and for this reason he chooses the best silver in color, shine, and shape. So this is for adornment.
So the apparent meaning of the author's words is that it is permissible in all three forms: need, custom, and adornment. And some scholars said that it is not permissible for adornment, because Allah made adorning with jewelry for women, and He said:[Az-Zukhruf 43:18] And whatever is a characteristic of women, it is not permissible for men. But the stronger opinion is the generality, that it is permissible for need, custom, and adornment. This is the correct view. In fact, there is no authentic text forbidding the wearing of silver for men, neither a ring nor anything else. There is no hadith, there is no text indicating the prohibition of silver for men. Rather, it came in the Sunan: "And as for silver, play with it as you please", meaning do whatever you wish. And for this reason, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and a group of scholars said that the original ruling for wearing silver is permissibility. This original ruling is not that the original ruling is prohibition and then what is excepted, like the ring, is made permissible. Rather, the original ruling is permissibility until evidence of prohibition is established. And this opinion is more correct due to the saying of Allah, the Exalted: [Al-Baqarah 2:29] So if a person takes something other than a ring from what is used for adornment, like what they call—no, no, not a miswak, no, a kabk, yes, he takes it of silver, we do not say this is forbidden according to the stronger opinion, because the original ruling is permissibility, and there is no general text indicating the prohibition of silver for men. All right.
As for the bracelet and the necklace around the neck and the like, these we may forbid from another angle, which is imitating women and effeminacy, and perhaps a bad opinion will be formed of this man. So this is forbidden for another reason, not for its own sake.
And the author's statement: "It is permissible for a man to have a ring", may Allah have mercy on him, benefited us by indicating that taking a ring of silver is from the category of permissible things, meaning it is not forbidden. So is it prescribed, i.e., is it recommended (sunnah) for a person to take a ring? The correct view is no, that wearing a ring is not a recommended practice (sunnah) except for one who needs it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not take one until it was said to him that the kings do not accept a letter unless it is sealed, so he took a ring. So it is not a recommended practice (sunnah). But if the custom of the people of the land is to wear it, then wear it, and there is no blame on you. If the custom is not to wear it, do not wear it, because it would be clothing of fame (showing off), and people would talk about it. They are always talking, saying, "What Allah willed, so-and-so, did you see what happened? And what happened?" He said, "He has a ring, its stone is as big as a date." Yes, and they take it in mockery. So follow what the custom is, and this is a matter we should be aware of, which is that conforming to customs in what is not forbidden is the recommended practice (sunnah), because going against customs makes it what? Fame (showing off). And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade clothing of fame, so it is forbidden. And based on this, we say: Is it a recommended practice (sunnah) for a person to wear a turban and an izar (waist cloth) and a rida' (cloak)? We say if we are in a country where they do that, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). If we are in a country where they are not accustomed to it and do not know it, it is not a recommended practice (sunnah). All right. So the correct view in this matter, in the matter of taking a ring, is that it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) except in case of need, but it is permissible. All right.
He says, where is the ring placed? Where is it placed? Is it on the little finger, the ring finger, the index finger, the middle finger, or the thumb? We have five fingers. On the little finger is best. Yes. And what is the little finger? The little finger is the extreme one, followed by the ring finger, the middle finger, the index finger, and the thumb. The jurists, may Allah have mercy on them, say that the little finger is best. Also, we ask: Is it recommended (sunnah) on the left or on the right? Imam Ahmad said the left is best because it is used more, but the right is permissible. And the correct view is that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) on both, meaning that wearing it on the right and on the left, all of this is equal. But some scholars say if the name of Allah is engraved on it, it should not be on the left, out of respect for the name of Allah, and because the left hand is needed for cleaning oneself after relieving oneself, and in that case, one would either have to make an effort to remove the ring or clean oneself with the ring on, and this involves a kind of disrespect. All right.
And it is taken from this matter that placing the watch on the right hand is not better than placing it on the left hand. Yes, because the watch is most like the ring, so if the recommended practice (sunnah) came with this and that, there is no difference between placing the watch on the right or the watch on the left. But which is easier for a person, the left or the right? The correct answer is the left, my brothers, the correct answer is the left.
The questioner : And it is safer, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes, let's see now, it is easier without a doubt, especially... with what?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : ...it is few, but the one that is examined, it is not valid except on the left, because if you put it on the right, you come... break it or... your hand, but on the left it is easier. But the brother Abd al-Rahman says now there is no clasp now, it is electronic. We say it is also easier to look at, to look at it, and it is safer in most cases, because most of the time the right hand is more active, so it is easier. In any case, these are explanations that go their own way, but the most important thing is that we do not say that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to wear it on the right. We say the matter is broad in this, and the recommended practice (sunnah) came with the right and the left in the ring, and it is the most like it.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : No, there is no contradiction, no, most Muslims now are that they wear it on the left, most Muslims, yes, all right, it is permissible for him also.
The questioner : ... Oh Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes, the little finger and the ring finger, this is best, and the little finger is best. As for the index finger and the thumb, they said that it is disliked (makruh) to place it on the middle finger and the index finger. As for the thumb, some of them included it with the index finger and the middle finger, and some of them said it is permissible, so the fingers became three categories: a category where placing it on them is recommended (mustahabb), the little finger and the ring finger; a category where it is disliked (makruh), the index finger and the middle finger; and a category where it is permissible, which is the thumb, and some of them included it with the index finger and the middle finger. All right. The author's statement that the ring is permissible, is the meaning, I forgot to tell you, is the meaning one ring or the type of ring? Some of them said there is no harm in wearing two rings as long as there is no extravagance. And others said no, it is disliked (makruh) to wear more than one, and one is sufficient, and the extra is disliked (makruh). And Allah knows best.
So it is permissible for him to have a ring, and the apparent meaning of the author's words is that it is permissible whether he takes it for a need, for imitation, or for adornment, due to the generality of the statement. As for the one who takes it for a need, it is like one who has a role in the community, such as a ruler, an emir, a minister, a manager, or the like, whose seal people need. He takes it for a need because keeping it on his finger is safer than putting it in his pocket, for putting it in his pocket might cause it to fall or be stolen, unlike when it is on the finger. And as for the one who takes it by imitation, it is like what many people do now, where one person takes a ring and another imitates him in that, not wanting adornment, but because the custom of the people of his land is to take a ring, so he took one. And as for the one who takes it for adornment, it is known that he wants to adorn himself with it, and for this reason he chooses the best silver in color, shine, and shape. So this is for adornment.
So the apparent meaning of the author's words is that it is permissible in all three forms: need, custom, and adornment. And some scholars said that it is not permissible for adornment, because Allah made adorning with jewelry for women, and He said:
So is one brought up in ornaments while being during conflict unevident [attributed to Allah]?
أو من ينشّؤ في الحلية وهو في الخصام غير مبينIt is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth
هو الذي خلق لكم ما في الأرض جميعاAs for the bracelet and the necklace around the neck and the like, these we may forbid from another angle, which is imitating women and effeminacy, and perhaps a bad opinion will be formed of this man. So this is forbidden for another reason, not for its own sake.
And the author's statement: "It is permissible for a man to have a ring", may Allah have mercy on him, benefited us by indicating that taking a ring of silver is from the category of permissible things, meaning it is not forbidden. So is it prescribed, i.e., is it recommended (sunnah) for a person to take a ring? The correct view is no, that wearing a ring is not a recommended practice (sunnah) except for one who needs it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not take one until it was said to him that the kings do not accept a letter unless it is sealed, so he took a ring. So it is not a recommended practice (sunnah). But if the custom of the people of the land is to wear it, then wear it, and there is no blame on you. If the custom is not to wear it, do not wear it, because it would be clothing of fame (showing off), and people would talk about it. They are always talking, saying, "What Allah willed, so-and-so, did you see what happened? And what happened?" He said, "He has a ring, its stone is as big as a date." Yes, and they take it in mockery. So follow what the custom is, and this is a matter we should be aware of, which is that conforming to customs in what is not forbidden is the recommended practice (sunnah), because going against customs makes it what? Fame (showing off). And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade clothing of fame, so it is forbidden. And based on this, we say: Is it a recommended practice (sunnah) for a person to wear a turban and an izar (waist cloth) and a rida' (cloak)? We say if we are in a country where they do that, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). If we are in a country where they are not accustomed to it and do not know it, it is not a recommended practice (sunnah). All right. So the correct view in this matter, in the matter of taking a ring, is that it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) except in case of need, but it is permissible. All right.
He says, where is the ring placed? Where is it placed? Is it on the little finger, the ring finger, the index finger, the middle finger, or the thumb? We have five fingers. On the little finger is best. Yes. And what is the little finger? The little finger is the extreme one, followed by the ring finger, the middle finger, the index finger, and the thumb. The jurists, may Allah have mercy on them, say that the little finger is best. Also, we ask: Is it recommended (sunnah) on the left or on the right? Imam Ahmad said the left is best because it is used more, but the right is permissible. And the correct view is that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) on both, meaning that wearing it on the right and on the left, all of this is equal. But some scholars say if the name of Allah is engraved on it, it should not be on the left, out of respect for the name of Allah, and because the left hand is needed for cleaning oneself after relieving oneself, and in that case, one would either have to make an effort to remove the ring or clean oneself with the ring on, and this involves a kind of disrespect. All right.
And it is taken from this matter that placing the watch on the right hand is not better than placing it on the left hand. Yes, because the watch is most like the ring, so if the recommended practice (sunnah) came with this and that, there is no difference between placing the watch on the right or the watch on the left. But which is easier for a person, the left or the right? The correct answer is the left, my brothers, the correct answer is the left.
The questioner : And it is safer, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes, let's see now, it is easier without a doubt, especially... with what?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : ...it is few, but the one that is examined, it is not valid except on the left, because if you put it on the right, you come... break it or... your hand, but on the left it is easier. But the brother Abd al-Rahman says now there is no clasp now, it is electronic. We say it is also easier to look at, to look at it, and it is safer in most cases, because most of the time the right hand is more active, so it is easier. In any case, these are explanations that go their own way, but the most important thing is that we do not say that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to wear it on the right. We say the matter is broad in this, and the recommended practice (sunnah) came with the right and the left in the ring, and it is the most like it.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : No, there is no contradiction, no, most Muslims now are that they wear it on the left, most Muslims, yes, all right, it is permissible for him also.
The questioner : ... Oh Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes, the little finger and the ring finger, this is best, and the little finger is best. As for the index finger and the thumb, they said that it is disliked (makruh) to place it on the middle finger and the index finger. As for the thumb, some of them included it with the index finger and the middle finger, and some of them said it is permissible, so the fingers became three categories: a category where placing it on them is recommended (mustahabb), the little finger and the ring finger; a category where it is disliked (makruh), the index finger and the middle finger; and a category where it is permissible, which is the thumb, and some of them included it with the index finger and the middle finger. All right. The author's statement that the ring is permissible, is the meaning, I forgot to tell you, is the meaning one ring or the type of ring? Some of them said there is no harm in wearing two rings as long as there is no extravagance. And others said no, it is disliked (makruh) to wear more than one, and one is sufficient, and the extra is disliked (makruh). And Allah knows best.