Islam teaches the believers to be modest and humble in their living. It does not support greed or
showoff of any kind. Not just this but it also instructsto maintain difference between the opposite
genders. The men should not act like women and vice versa. A very controversial question that
arises regarding this idea of differentiation between men and women is if men are allowed to
wear gold in Islam.
The use of gold before Islam
Gold was a valuable resource even before Islam. Both men and women wore it. Anyone who
wore gold was respected as it became a symbol of wealth. Apart from this, it became a means of
buying and selling in the Arabian peninsula. Like many other cultures, people started trading with
it too.
Gold after the Introduction of Islam
After the introduction of Islam in the Arabian peninsula, many laws had been changed and people
started following the teachings of Islam. Islam taught the Muslims to be modest and down to
earth. As gold was a sign of prestige and also nullified the difference between men and women,
people took the use of gold into consideration more seriously, especially men.
Islamic teachings about men wearing gold
The Holy Prophet(peace be upon him) is a role model for Muslims all around the globe and it has
been this way for centuries. Muslims take guidance about right and wrong from his life and
sayings. It is Sunnah to follow the actions of the Holy Prophet and spread his message. He also
put light on whether the men in Islam can wear gold or not. When the Holy Prophet saw a man
wearing a gold ring, he took it off and asked the man if he would take a burning coal and hold it
in his hand. By this he meant to explain the punishment a man will have to face in the hereafter
upon wearing gold.
“Would any of you take a burning coal and hold it in his hand?” (Sahih Muslim, no. 2090).
He also said,
“Whoever of my ummah wears gold and dies wearing it, Allah will deny him the gold of
Paradise.” (Musnad Ahmad).
Islam encourages men and women to be different in their actions and lifestyle. Both men and
women should not copy each other. Islam associated the use of gold with women only. However,
even women are not allowed to become greedy and display too much wealth and prestige. Men
may only use gold in the case of a medical emergency provided that there is no other option left
Why does Islam prohibit gold for men?
Islam prohibits men from using gold as it is a sign of weakness. It takes away the masculinity of a
man. It also shows extravagance which is forbidden in Islam. Islam teaches us to neither be miser
nor extravagant but anything in between. Men should only be focused on strength and striving
and not showoff of power. There should be difference between the priorities of men and women
which make a man masculine and a woman feminine and the usage of gold should thus not be
for men. Other than this, since gold is expensive, its usage as ornaments is economically wasteful.
It is important to approach the topic of the use of gold by men in Islam with respect and
understanding. To cut short, whether or not to wear gold is a personal decision for a man but
keeping in mind the teachings and principles of Islam, it is prohibited. Muslims should follow what
Islam teaches them rather than derailing from the righteous path. In this is the betterment of the
Muslim community.
