Middle Eastern Men: Wedding Bands And Their Placement

In the Middle East, men's wedding bands are placed on their left hand, on the little finger. In Islamic marriage, wedding rings are not a requirement, but they are commonly exchanged. According to Islamic teachings, men are forbidden from wearing gold, so wedding bands are usually made from silver or another type of metal.

In Islam, it is haram for men to wear gold rings

In the Islamic faith, there are differing opinions on the wearing of gold rings by men. Some Muslims believe that it is haram for men to wear gold rings, based on specific hadith narrations that mention the prohibition of gold for men. This belief is supported by stories and hadiths, such as the one narrated by Abu Musa, which states that the "Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my Ummah, and forbidden to the males.'" Another hadith tells the story of the Prophet seeing a man wearing a gold ring and pulling it off, throwing it away, and saying that the man is "putting [live coal from Hell] on his hand."

However, other Muslims argue that the prohibition specifically applies to gold jewelry worn as a form of adornment, while allowing for certain exceptions, such as necessity or cultural practices. For example, some believe that it is acceptable for men to wear gold wedding rings, as long as they are not made of pure gold. Additionally, there is a growing trend for Muslims to buy halal-certified or Quran-inscribed jewelry, which has been blessed by a religious scholars and is seen as acceptable for all Muslims to wear.

While the interpretation of the hadith may vary, most Muslims agree that it is permissible to wear gold jewelry as long as it is not worn for show or to present as status symbols. This aligns with the Islamic teachings of modesty and the prohibition of boasting about wealth. In general, Muslim men are advised to avoid wearing excessive jewelry, as it can be seen as feminine or effeminate behavior, which is discouraged in Islam.

Muslim men must not wear a ring on their index or middle finger

In Islam, Muslim men are forbidden from wearing rings on their index and middle fingers. This ruling applies to both the right and left hands. Instead, it is recommended for men to wear a ring on the little finger of their left hand, as this finger is furthest from any filth that could be touched by the hand and does not hinder the hand from doing or catching something.

There is a consensus among Muslims that this is the correct way to wear a ring, and it is based on the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet is said to have worn a ring on the little finger of his left hand, and he forbade men, in particular, to wear rings on their index and middle fingers.

While the ruling applies to both hands, there is some disagreement among scholars about which hand is preferable. Some schools of thought, like the Hanbali, recommend the left hand, while others, like the Shafi'i school, suggest the right hand. Despite these differences, the consensus is that men should not wear rings on their index or middle fingers.

Women, on the other hand, are permitted to wear rings on all their fingers and toes, without any restrictions.

In Arab cultures, engagement rings are worn on the right hand

In Arab cultures, the engagement ring is worn on the right hand, while the wedding ring is placed on the left. This custom stems from the belief that the right hand is the one used to swear and pledge, and during the engagement, the couple pledges to marry for life.

The wedding ring is an essential part of Islamic marriage. However, according to some Islamic teachings, it is haram for men to wear gold rings. This is based on the Prophet Muhammad's forbiddance of gold for males, as he is said to have pulled a gold ring from a man's hand and stated that it is like "holding a live coal from Hell". Silver rings, on the other hand, are permissible for men, and the Prophet himself wore a silver ring.

While the wedding ring is not a Muslim custom, it is a widely adopted tradition. The only Islamic requirements for marriage are the nikah and walima, with other events being cultural additions. In Arab weddings, the engagement usually takes place during a simple party or dinner for the families, where the couple exchanges rings and wears them on their right-hand ring finger.

The henna night is another pre-wedding tradition where henna is used to decorate the bride and groom's hands. The groom's family dances through the streets to the bride's house, where the families mix henna and the groom offers the bride her mahr. The families then celebrate with traditional Palestinian music and dancing.

On the wedding day, the couple switches their rings from their right hand to their left index finger, and the festivities begin.

Wedding rings are placed on the left hand

In the Middle East, wedding rings are placed on the left hand. This is a tradition that is said to date back to the era of the pharaohs. There is also a belief that the fourth finger on the left hand, which is also known as the ring finger, is linked to an artery that reaches the heart, known as the artery of love. This is why the wedding ring is worn on this finger.

In Arab cultures and traditions, the engagement ring is worn on the right hand, while the wedding ring is worn on the left hand. This is because the right hand is the hand used to swear and pledge, and during the engagement, the couple pledges to marry for life.

According to Islamic teachings, men are not allowed to wear gold rings. This is because the Prophet Muhammad forbade gold for the males of his Ummah (community or nation). However, men are allowed to wear silver or any other kind of metal rings.

While the wedding ring is not one of the customs of the Muslims, some Muslim men may choose to wear a wedding ring on their left hand to make their wives happy. It is considered Makruh (disapproved or offensive) for Muslim men to wear the wedding ring on the index or middle finger. Some scholars approve of wearing the ring on the little finger, as it will not cause any disturbances in their activities.

The wedding ring is not a custom of Muslims

According to some hadiths, it is haram for Muslim men to wear gold rings. This is based on the words and actions of Prophet Muhammad, who forbade gold for males, saying, "Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my Ummah, and forbidden to the males." On one occasion, the Prophet saw a man wearing a gold ring, so he took it from his hand and threw it away, comparing it to holding a burning coal.

Muslim men are also not allowed to wear wedding rings on their index or middle fingers. According to the hadith, the Messenger of Allah told Ali not to wear a ring on these fingers. Some scholars approve of men wearing wedding rings on their little fingers, as it will not interfere with their daily activities.

While the exchange of wedding rings is not a part of Islamic marriage, Muslim men can still choose to wear a wedding ring, preferably on the right hand, to make their wives happy. However, it is important to note that carving names inside the ring or believing that the ring has the power to create a stronger bond between spouses is considered haram, as it does not align with Islamic teachings.

Frequently asked questions