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:

SalamuAlekom brother. I just wanted to know Islam`s point of view on wedding rings. Can you please explain in detail. Jazak Allah kheir. 

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Answer:

Wedding Rings

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The question of wedding rings which you have raised has two aspects:

1. The wedding rite, ritual and celebration itself, and
2. The wearing of rings.

Ref-1: The wedding celebration or ritual

The celebration of a joyous occasion like weddings is absolutely permissible and encouraged in Islam; and there is absolutely no harm if one celebrates this joyous occasion according to the culture of the land one lives in, provided the laws of celebration in Islam are honored and not violated:

1. There can be absolutely no element of ‘shirk’ in the celebrations.
2. There can be absolutely no element of ‘fahisha’ or indecency.
3. The believers should not spend unnecessary on such celebrations.
4. The believers cannot imitate or copy a rite or ritual which is specific to the pagans.

Ref-2: the wearing of rings

There is absolutely no evidence in the example of the Messenger of Allah (saws) or his noble companions that they would adorn themselves with any jewelry whatsoever. It is indeed a fact that the Messenger of Allah (saws) wore a silver ring, but that was only when he had established an Islamic State in Madinah, and the ring was used as a seal during his correspondence with the leaders of other tribes. There is absolutely no evidence that the Messenger of Allah (saws) wore the ring or any other form of jewelry prior to his becoming the leader of the Islamic State in Madinah.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.189 Narrated by Anas

When the Prophet (saws) intended to write a letter to the ruler of the Byzantines, he (saws) was told that those people did not read any letter unless it was stamped with a seal. So, the Prophet (saws) got a silver ring--as if I were just looking at its white glitter on his hand--and stamped on it the expression "Muhammad, The Messenger of Allah".

Adornment and aids of beauty (like make-up, jewelry, rings, chains, bangles, ear-rings, etc.) are a characteristics specific to the women, and it absolutely does not behove and befit a believer who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to adorn himself with something that enhances the beauty of women!

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.774 Narrated by Ibn Abbas

The Prophet (saws) invoked the curse of Allah on the effeminate men (those men who imitate or assume the manners or characteristics of women) and those women who assume the manners (and characteristics) of men.

Although usage of the metal silver is not prohibited for men in Islam, to wear a silver ring only as an adornment would not behove and befit one amongst the believing males who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, and it would be best if they would abstain from every such adornment which is specific to the women.

Your Question: I just wanted to know Islam`s point of view on wedding rings. Can you please explain in detail.

The exchange of wedding rings between the bride and the groom as a rite of marriage, and its wearing on a particular finger to denote that the status of the person wearing such a ring is now married is a specific rite and ritual of our Christian brethren in their marriages; and it absolutely does not behove and befit a believer who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last to copy or imitate an act which is a specific rite of the pagans.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4020 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘He who copies any people is one of them!’

The believers should fear Allah their Lord and abstain from copying or imitating any act or rite which is specific to the pagans.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

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