𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (325)

Which fingers are permissible for wearing a ring? (Men vs. Women) Question: I heard that wearing a ring is only permissible on two fingers. Is this true? And on which fingers is it allowed? Sheikh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh responds: Yes, for men, there is a prohibition against wearing a ring on the middle finger and the index finger. Muslim narrated from ‘Ali (may Allāh be pleased with him) that he said: ((نهاني رسول الله ﷺ أن أتختم في إصبعي هذه أو هذه، فأومأ إلى الوسطى والتي تليها)) “The Prophet ﷺ forbade me from wearing a ring on this finger and this finger.” He gestured toward the middle finger and the one next to it. According to the narration in Jami‘ At-Tirmidhi, the finger next to the middle finger refers to the index finger. Thus, a man is prohibited from wearing a ring on the middle finger and the index finger. According to the majority of scholars, this prohibition indicates karāhat At-tanzīh (dislike). However, the correct view is that the prohibition is one of tahrīm (prohibition), meaning that it is impermissible for a man to wear a ring on the middle or index finger. As for the thumb, it is not a customary place for men to wear a ring. This leaves two fingers: the little finger (khinṣar) and the binṣar, which is next to it. The Sunnah is [in the case of men] to wear the ring on the little finger(1), but it is also permissible to wear it on the finger next to it. As for women, the apparent ruling—and Allāh knows best—is that there is no restriction on which fingers they may wear rings(2). Allāh Almighty says: {أَوَمَن يُنَشَّأُ فِي الْحِلِيَةِ وَهُو فِي الْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينَ} "˹Do they attribute to Him˺ those who are brought up in ornaments (i.e. women), and who in dispute cannot make herself clear?" [Sūrah Az-Zukhruf: 18] __ (1) Muslim narrated from Anas (may Allāh be pleased with him) that he said: كان خاتم النبي ﷺ في هذه. وأشار إلى الخنصر من يده اليسرى. "The ring of the Prophet ﷺ was on this finger," and he pointed to the little finger of his left hand. (2) Imām An-Nawawi raḥimahullāh said: «وأجمع المسلمون على أن السنة جعل خاتم الرجل في الخنصر، وأما المرأة فإنها تتخذ خواتيم في أصابع» "The Muslims have unanimously agreed that the Sunnah for a man is to wear a ring on the little finger. As for a woman, she may wear rings on any of her fingers." [Sharh Muslim; ‘Awn Al-Ma’bood (11/286)]