Is wearing an iron ring haraam for men?

Q) I heard that wearing an iron ring is haraam for men. I hope you can explain the matter, with evidence.

A) Praise be to Allaah.

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Buraydah from his father (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that a man came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he was wearing a ring of gold. He said: “Why do I detect the stench of idols on you?” So he threw it away. Then he came and he was wearing a ring of iron, and he said: “Why do I see you wearing the jewellery of the people of Hell?” So he threw it away. He said: O Messenger of Allaah, of what should I wear (a ring)? He said: “Wear (a ring) of silver, but no more than a mithqaal (a measure of weight).” Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasaa’i. al-Tirmidhi said: This is a ghareeb hadeeh. It was narrated from Iyaas ibn al-Haarith ibn al-Mu’ayqeeb that his grandfather said: The ring of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was made of iron overlaid with silver. He said: I kept it sometimes, and Mu’ayqeeb was in charge of the ring of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Narrated by Abu Dawood and al-Nasaa’i. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated from Sahl ibn Sa’d al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to the one who proposed marriage to the woman who had offered herself in marriage to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Look for something (to give as a dowry), even if it is a ring of iron.” This indicates that it is permissible to wear a ring of iron, as is indicated by the hadeeth of Mu’ayqeeb. As for the hadeeth of Buraydah quoted above, there is some weakness in its isnaad. Thus it is clear that the more correct view is that it is not makrooh to wear a ring of iron. But wearing a ring of silver is better, because the ring of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was made of silver, as is proven in al-Saheehayn.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.


Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta, 24/64.