Is Gold Haram For Men?
It is haram for men to wear anything made of gold in Islam, including watches, rings, and other jewelry. Necklaces and earrings made of gold are also forbidden for Muslim men.
Gold is the most glamorous of metals, so it’s no surprise that many men want to wear it. However, wearing gold is Haram (forbidden) for men in Islam.
It will be explained in this article why men shouldn’t wear gold and how you can steer clear of sin by refusing to listen to anyone who convinces you otherwise.
Is It Haram For Men To Wear Gold?
The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade Muslim men from wearing anything made of gold and declared it haram.
Islam is primarily concerned with the afterlife and its benefits. Allah created gold as a medium of exchange, not to be stored or worshipped by men. There is an exemption for ladies who are permitted to wear gold.
According to Islam, males should prioritize the reward in the afterlife over worldly prosperity. As a result, the Prophet (peace be upon him) advises us not to wear gold, whether it is a ring, a necklace, or anything else.
In short, you can watch this video which explains why gold is haram for Muslim men:
Why It Is A Sin For Men To Wear Gold Jewelry?
Scholars agree that gold is haram for men and halal for women. But how can something be forbidden for Muslim men while allowed for Muslim women?
The answer to this is really simple. Gold is an expensive metal and was used as a means of currency before paper currency was introduced. In fact, our paper currency is also based on gold so it is a form of currency still.
Allah made gold as an adornment for women. Women usually like shiny objects and are drawn to them. Allah made gold halal for women but Allah always wanted men to wear and look different than women.
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed the women who imitate men and the men who imitate women.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2784]
That’s why men are not allowed in Islam to wear anything made of gold. Even anything with gold water on it is also haram for Muslim men.
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The Islamic Ruling On Gold For Men
Quran does not have any specific verse stating whether gold is halal or haram for Muslim men. However, gold is declared haram in several Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
This Quranic verse tells us about the painful punishment for the gold hoarders:
“O believers! Indeed, many rabbis and monks consume people’s wealth wrongfully and hinder ˹others˺ from the Way of Allah. Give good news of a painful torment to those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s cause.”
[Quran 9:34]
The first hadith is narrated by Abu Huraira:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade the wearing of a gold ring.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5864]
This hadith refers to the men present at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who ordered them to avoid rings made of gold. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade something it is considered haram in Islam.
It was narrated that ‘Abidah said:
“He forbade red Al-Mayathir, and gold rings.”
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 5185]
Another hadith that mentions avoiding gold rings is a confirmation for Muslim men that gold is haram.
There is one hadith that mentions the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) used to wear a gold ring but later he threw it away and declared all men to do so too.
Narrated Abdullah bin `Umar:
“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) wore a gold ring, then he threw it and said, “I will never wear it.” The people also threw their (gold) rings.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5867]
Scholars say that in the start it was a custom of the Arab to wear gold. Islamic rulings didn’t come all at once and in steps. This means that in the start there was a time when gold was allowed for Muslim men. After a while, Allah ordered Prophet (peace be upon him) to throw the gold ring away and he asked all the Muslim men to follow him.
It was narrated that Hudhaifah said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade wearing silk and gold. He said: ‘They are for them in this world and for us in the Hereafter.’”
[Sunan Ibn Majah 3590]
Two things are made haram for Muslim men which includes silk and gold. Hadith has the same importance for Muslims as the Quranic verse as Prophet (peace be upon him) never said anything from himself and it was always ordered from Allah.
Furthermore, there is one more hadith that clearly mentions that gold is only allowed to be worn by Muslim women.
It was narrated from Abu Musa that:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: “Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my Ummah, and forbidden to the males.”
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 5148]
All the hadith compiled together states that gold is entirely haram for Muslim men to be worn or used as an adornment. Muslim men can use gold as a currency only. Muslim women are allowed to wear gold. Although Quran does not mention anything the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is enough to be declared gold haram for men.
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Are Gold-Plated Items Haram For Men?
As far as gold is concerned all the items made of gold or gold plated are haram for Muslim men to be worn. There are many wearables that are only gold-plated and not pure gold.
Rings, watches, bracelets, and necklaces are among the wearables that are gold-plated. As per the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) ruling, gold plating is also haram. Wearables that are gold-plated are covered with gold water. Gold water is also considered haram if gold is haram.
Which Men’s Jewellery Is Halal?
Apart from gold other metals are not haram to be worn by Muslim men as there is no Quranic verse or Hadith against them. Some Muslim men wear silver rings and they are considered halal as Prophet (peace be upon him) himself used to wear a silver ring.
Narrated Anas:
“The ring of the Prophet (ﷺ) was of silver, and its stone was of silver too.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5870]
After gold was declared haram Prophet (peace be upon him) used to wear a silver ring and it is considered a Sunnah to wear it. If one Muslim man wants to follow the tradition of the Prophet he can wear a silver ring.
Muslim men are also allowed to wear anything made from iron or bronze. Bronze jewelry is also common among silver and gold. If you don’t like silver you can always go for a bronze ring or any bronze jewelry.
Can Men wear White Gold in Islam?
As far as white gold is concerned Muslim scholars have different opinions. White gold wasn’t present at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and there is no ruling on wearing white gold.
Some say that white gold (platinum) is not allowed or haram for Muslim men to wear as it is also expensive and is considered something to be worn by women only.
Other Muslim scholars state that white gold was not present at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and white gold is entirely a different metal than the gold itself so it is halal for Muslim men.
It’s a doubt to this day and if there is a doubt Islam always tells us to stay away from it. It’s better to be safe than sorry. My suggestion is always to avoid white gold as well as gold and we all Muslims should also consider avoiding platinum.
Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir:
“So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 52]
Is Gold Harmful For Men?
A study on the direct in vitro toxicity of gold nanoparticles on spermatozoa found that 25% of sperm mixed with gold nanoparticle solution were not motile. Control sperm motility was 95%.
It has been reported that gold in industrial use may be toxic to sperm, resulting in male infertility, sterility, and epididymitis in some cases. Read more on this here.
Final Thoughts
Wearing gold is haram for men, but halal for women. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbids Muslim men from wearing anything related to gold because it should only be used by men as a currency.
A second reason is that Allah wants us, men, to think about the gold and jewelry of paradise instead of this world. Women are allowed to wear gold and Allah does not like men wearing the same things as women as well. There should be a distinction between the wearables of men and women.
These reasons prove that gold is haram for Muslim men. Silver, bronze, and other jewelry are allowed for men except for gold. Many alternatives are available in the market. It is also recommended to wear silver because it is a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
And Allah Knows Best.
