Regarding wearing the watch on the right hand as a new fashion to distinguish oneself from others, is this a religious innovation?
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The questioner : Regarding wearing the watch on the right hand as a new fashion to distinguish oneself from others, is this a religious innovation?
The Shaykh : Wearing the watch on the right hand or the left hand is the same, because the watch is most like a ring, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to wear rings on both his left and right hands.
However, if a person wears it on the right hand to indicate that he is committed—meaning committed to the Sunnah—then this is prohibited, because the Sunnah did not specify wearing the watch on the right hand. Wearing it on the left hand is what most people do, and it is safer for the watch, since the right hand is the hand of work and movement, and it is generally easier to check the time on the left hand. For example, if a person is eating and the watch is on his right hand, it may be difficult for him to look at it, but it is easy for him to look at his left hand. In any case, the matter is broad; if he wishes, he may wear it on the right hand, and if he wishes, he may wear it on the left hand.
The Shaykh : Wearing the watch on the right hand or the left hand is the same, because the watch is most like a ring, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to wear rings on both his left and right hands.
However, if a person wears it on the right hand to indicate that he is committed—meaning committed to the Sunnah—then this is prohibited, because the Sunnah did not specify wearing the watch on the right hand. Wearing it on the left hand is what most people do, and it is safer for the watch, since the right hand is the hand of work and movement, and it is generally easier to check the time on the left hand. For example, if a person is eating and the watch is on his right hand, it may be difficult for him to look at it, but it is easy for him to look at his left hand. In any case, the matter is broad; if he wishes, he may wear it on the right hand, and if he wishes, he may wear it on the left hand.