Why Gold is Prohibited for Men in Islam: Wisdom and Evidences
(Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam)
Why has gold been prohibited for men in Islam? What is the wisdom behind it?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Every believer must understand that the primary basis of any Sharʿi ruling is that it is the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
﴿وَما كانَ لِمُؤمِنٍ وَلا مُؤمِنَةٍ إِذا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسولُهُ أَمرًا أَن يَكونَ لَهُمُ الخِيَرَةُ مِن أَمرِهِم﴾ (Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, 36)
"It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice in their affair."
Thus, if there is a clear proof from the Qur’an or Sunnah regarding the obligation or prohibition of something, that in itself is a sufficient reason for a believer.
When ʿĀʾishah (RA) was asked why a menstruating woman makes up her missed fasts but not her missed prayers, she replied:
«كان يصيبنا ذلک فنومر بقضاء الصوم ولا نومر بقضاء الصلاة»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 321; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 335)
"This used to happen to us, and we were ordered to make up the fasts but not the prayers."
Although the original basis is Sharʿi text, searching for the wisdom behind rulings has benefits:
❀ It increases inner satisfaction.
❀ It highlights the greatness of the Shariah.
❀ It aids in analogy for cases not directly mentioned in the texts.
Allah ﷻ describes women:
﴿أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى الحِليَةِ وَهُوَ فِى الخِصامِ غَيرُ مُبينٍ﴾ (Sūrah al-Zukhruf, 18)
"Or one who is brought up in adornments and is not clear in dispute?"
This indicates that adornment is fitting for women, not for men.
Men who wear gold jewellery are opposing Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and resembling women. The jewellery they wear is, in reality, a piece of fire from Hell, as proven from authentic hadith. They must repent to Allah immediately.
❀ Silver jewellery — such as a silver ring, within Sharʿi limits and without extravagance.
❀ Other metals — rings or ornaments made from permissible materials, avoiding wastefulness.
ھٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam)
❖ Question
Why has gold been prohibited for men in Islam? What is the wisdom behind it?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Foundation of Sharʿi Rulings
Every believer must understand that the primary basis of any Sharʿi ruling is that it is the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
﴿وَما كانَ لِمُؤمِنٍ وَلا مُؤمِنَةٍ إِذا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسولُهُ أَمرًا أَن يَكونَ لَهُمُ الخِيَرَةُ مِن أَمرِهِم﴾ (Sūrah al-Aḥzāb, 36)
"It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice in their affair."
Thus, if there is a clear proof from the Qur’an or Sunnah regarding the obligation or prohibition of something, that in itself is a sufficient reason for a believer.
Example from ʿĀʾishah (RA)
When ʿĀʾishah (RA) was asked why a menstruating woman makes up her missed fasts but not her missed prayers, she replied:
«كان يصيبنا ذلک فنومر بقضاء الصوم ولا نومر بقضاء الصلاة»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 321; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 335)
"This used to happen to us, and we were ordered to make up the fasts but not the prayers."
Benefit of Knowing the Wisdom Behind Rulings
Although the original basis is Sharʿi text, searching for the wisdom behind rulings has benefits:
❀ It increases inner satisfaction.
❀ It highlights the greatness of the Shariah.
❀ It aids in analogy for cases not directly mentioned in the texts.
Reason for Prohibition of Gold for Men
- The Prophet ﷺ explicitly prohibited men from wearing gold while permitting it for women.
- Gold is a precious, decorative item intended for adornment.
- Adornment is not an objective for men; due to natural masculinity, a man is inherently complete and does not require beautification for others.
- Women, by their nature, seek beautification to please their husbands, so gold jewellery is permitted for them.
Allah ﷻ describes women:
﴿أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى الحِليَةِ وَهُوَ فِى الخِصامِ غَيرُ مُبينٍ﴾ (Sūrah al-Zukhruf, 18)
"Or one who is brought up in adornments and is not clear in dispute?"
This indicates that adornment is fitting for women, not for men.
Warning for Men Wearing Gold
Men who wear gold jewellery are opposing Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and resembling women. The jewellery they wear is, in reality, a piece of fire from Hell, as proven from authentic hadith. They must repent to Allah immediately.
Permissible Alternatives for Men
❀ Silver jewellery — such as a silver ring, within Sharʿi limits and without extravagance.
❀ Other metals — rings or ornaments made from permissible materials, avoiding wastefulness.
ھٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
