Why is Gold Haram for Men in Islam? Given that gold is the most dazzling metal, it is not surprising that many men desire to wear it. But in Islam, it is Haram (forbidden) for men to wear gold.
The article will explain why men shouldn’t wear gold, Why is Gold Haram for Men in Islam, and how to avoid sinning by not listening to those who try to persuade you otherwise.
Why is Gold Haram for Men in Islam?
The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) deemed wearing gold jewellery haram and banned Muslim men from doing so.
Islam is primarily focused on the benefits of the afterlife. Allah did not create gold for men to store or worship; rather, He created it as a means of exchange. Women who are allowed to wear gold are free from this rule.
Males should put their afterlife rewards before material wealth, according to Islam. Because of this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbids us from donning anything made of gold, including rings, necklaces, and other jewellery.
You can watch this video to learn why gold is prohibited for Muslim males in brief:
Why Wearing Gold Jewellery Is A Sin For Men?
Gold is halal for women and haram for men, according to scholars. But how is it that something is permitted for Muslim women but prohibited for Muslim men?
This has a fairly straightforward solution. Prior to the invention of paper money, gold, an expensive metal, served as a form of payment.
In reality, our paper money still counts as currency because it is based on gold.
God created gold to be used as an ornament for women. Typically, sparkling goods appeal to and attract women. Although Allah made gold permissible for women, He always preferred that males dress and seem differently from 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]
Islam prohibits men from wearing anything made of gold because of this. For Muslim men, even items with gold water are forbidden.
The Islamic Law Regarding Men’s Gold
There is no single verse in the Quran that says whether gold is permissible or forbidden for Muslim men. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared in a number of Hadiths that gold is forbidden.
This passage from the Quran describes the torturous punishment meted out to 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 males who were present when the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded them to shun gold rings. Whatever the Prophet (peace be upon him) banned is regarded in Islam as haram.
It was narrated that ‘Abidah said:
“He forbade red Al-Mayathir, and gold rings.”
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 5185]
For Muslim men, the reference of avoiding gold rings in another hadith serves as further proof that gold is forbidden.
In one hadith, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) is said to have worn a gold ring in the past but later threw it away and commanded all men to do the same.
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]
According to experts, wearing gold was once an Arab tradition. Islamic law developed gradually and not all at once. This indicates that at first, Muslim men were permitted to wear gold. After some time, Allah commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) to discard the gold ring, and he instructed all Muslim men to do the same.
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]
Silk and gold are among the two items that have been declared haram for Muslim men. Since the Prophet (peace be upon him) never spoke on his own initiative and always received orders from Allah, Hadith is just as important to Muslims as a verse in the Qur’an.
One further hadith makes it quite apparent that only Muslim women are permitted to wear gold.
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 of the hadith taken together state that wearing or using gold as jewelry is completely prohibited for Muslim men. Only Muslim men are permitted to use gold as money. Gold is acceptable for Muslim women to wear. Although the Quran makes no reference of gold, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said enough to deem the metal haram for males.
Are Items With Gold-Plated Haram For Men?
All objects made of gold or gold-plated metal are prohibited from being worn by Muslim men. Many wearables are merely gold-plated and not made entirely of precious metal.
Among the accessories that are gold-plated are rings, watches, bracelets, and necklaces. Gold plating is prohibited by the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) sayings. Gold water is used to coat items that have been gold-plated. If gold is forbidden, then so is gold water.
Which Jewelry for Men Is Halal?
Other than gold, wearing other metals is not prohibited for Muslim men because there is no Hadith or Quranic scripture that forbids it. Silver rings are worn by certain Muslim men and are accepted as halal because the Prophet (peace be upon him) wore silver rings himself.
Prophet (peace be upon him) used to wear a silver ring, and it is said to be Sunnah to do so now that gold has been deemed haram. One Muslim man may wear a silver ring if he chooses to uphold the Prophet’s custom.
Men who identify as Muslims are permitted to wear anything made of bronze or iron. Besides silver and gold, bronze is a popular metal for jewelry. You can always choose a bronze ring or any other bronze jewelry if you don’t like silver.
Does Islam Allow Men to Wear White Gold?
Muslim scholars hold varying perspectives on white gold. There was no white gold at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and wearing white gold is not prohibited.
Some claim that white gold (platinum) is forbidden or haram for Muslim males to wear since it is costly and only appropriate for women to wear.
Other Muslim scholars contend that white gold is permissible for Muslim males because it was not in existence during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and is a totally distinct metal from the gold itself.
Even today, there are doubts about it, and Islam always advises us to avoid them. Being safe is preferable to being sorry. Our advice is to never wear white gold or gold, and all Muslims should think about 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]
Are men harmed by Gold?
According to a study on the direct in vitro toxicity of gold nanoparticles on spermatozoa, 25% of the sperm in the fluid containing the particles were not motile. Sperm motility under control was 95%.
According to reports, gold used in industrial settings may be harmful to sperm, leading in some instances to male infertility, sterility, and epididymitis.
Conclusion
Gold jewelry is prohibited for men but permitted for women. Because gold should only be used by men as money, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade Muslim males from wearing anything related to the metal.
Allah wants us, as men, to focus on the gold and jewels of heaven rather than this world as a second reason. Allah does not appreciate men wearing the same things as women, and ladies are permitted to wear gold. The wearables used by men and women should be separated.
These arguments demonstrate Why is Gold Haram for Men in Islam. Men may wear silver, bronze, and other types of jewelry, but not gold. The market offers a wide range of alternatives. Because wearing silver is a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it is also advised.
And Allah Knows Best.
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