Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Dear Brother,

Thank you very much for your enlightening answers. My question is related to wearing gold and gold ornaments on babies and infants. My wife and I are not too fond of wearing gold or gold ornaments due to some reasons (mentioned later), and hence we have not put on ornaments for our baby girl, who is just 1 year old. We have no problem in buying and letting/making her wear gold ornaments, if and when she so desires at her own will at a later age when she can think on her own (if it is within limits permitted by Allah). However, recently, one of my relative told me that Allah Subhanuathalah has made wearing of gold Halaal, and that I have no right to make Haraam something which Allah has made Halaal. Her reasoning was that the small baby has no way to communicate her likes and desires, and hence it is my responsibility to ensure that that she must wear gold ornaments, and that by making her not put any gold, I am committing a mistake. But my decision to not putting was based on the following reasons:

1. As far as I am aware, thought there are hadiths which permit women to wear gold ornaments, there are also Hadiths which prohibits/discourages women from wearing gold ornaments (rings and necklaces). Please refer to:

http://www.themuslimwoman.com/HerDress/CircularGold.htm
Hence, I feel it is better to stay away from things which are doubtful, especially if it is not something very essential (such as medicines, food etc).

2. If something is made Halaal, unless it has been made obligatory or encouraged, it is not compulsory for us to do it. It is up to us to decide based on our discretion and circumstances to decide whether we should follow it. (For eg: though non-vegeterian food is made Halaal, a person can abstain from eating it due to various reasons, including personal interest or medical reasons)

3. And in continuation to reasoning 2, I feel times are getting worse and worse (consumerism, tendencies to blindly copy/imitate others, women viewed and self portrayed as an exhibitionist object). Thus, if I make my baby daughter wear gold ornaments starting from a small age onwards, I feel I am in a way giving her wrong/conflicting signals/messages in these changing times, when there is so much negative influences in the Media, Internet and in the everyday outside world, instead of being role models as parents.

I am extremely confused, and I will be grateful if you could let me know if what I am doing is right or wrong in the eyes of Almighty Allah. Am I within my rights to not wearing gold ornaments for my baby girl or am I committing a sin by doing so? Please correct me on this issue if I am wrong. I look forward to your reply at the earliest. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Women must wear gold

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: …..Am I within my rights to not wearing gold ornaments for my baby girl or am I committing a sin by doing so?

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 808 Narrated by Abu Musa Ash'ari

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Wearing silk and gold has been made unlawful for the males of my Ummah and lawful for their females.’

Not only is the wearing of gold ornaments lawful for the believing woman in Islam, the wearing of ornaments as adornments is placed in the very nature of the women by the Lord Creator.

Having said that the wearing of gold ornaments is lawful for the women does not in any way mean or imply that a believing woman is obliged or it is obligatory for them to wear gold ornaments!

Just as a fruit, or a vegetable, or some meats, etc. are lawful for the believers, does not in any way mean or imply that every believer is obligated to eat that product if he does not wish to do so!!

Similarly, the guidance of Islam has made it lawful for the believing woman to adorn themselves with gold or ornaments if indeed they wish to do so…..but they are not obligated or duty-bound to do so if they do not wish to.

Respected brother in Islam, you are absolutely right in your deduction and your reasoning, and if you, as the father and guardian, do not wish to adorn your baby daughter with any gold ornament, you are well within your rights to do so…..and there is absolutely no wrong or sin upon you in the least.

The relative who told you that it is compulsory for you to adorn your baby daughter with gold ornaments is incorrect in their opinion. Islam has indeed made it lawful for the believing woman to adorn themselves with ornaments of gold, if indeed they wish to do so…but they are not obligated in the least!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan