In the Name of Allāh, the Ever Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
Question [truncated]:
What is the ruling on a man or woman wearing a ring on the index finger or middle finger? Is the prohibition narrated regarding these fingers general for both sexes or specific to men? And on which fingers is wearing a ring permitted?
Answer:
As for wearing rings, the reports transmitted from the Messenger (ﷺ) establish that he wore a ring and that his ring was on the little/pinky finger or the ring finger. This is the clearest and most established guidance concerning where a man should wear his ring. Thus, for men, the basic rule in practice is that the ring is worn on the little finger or the ring finger, since this is what is authentically related from the Messenger (ﷺ).
It is also authentically established that the Messenger (ﷺ) prohibited wearing a ring on the index finger and the middle finger. This prohibition is narrated in the well-known ḥadīth in which he forbade wearing a ring on these fingers1, while it is likewise established from his practice that his ring was worn on the little finger or the ring finger.
Thus, the Sunnah in this matter is clear: the proper place for wearing a ring is the little finger or the ring finger, and as for the index finger and middle finger, they are to be avoided.
And the foundation regarding the address of the legislations in the Sharīʿah is generality unless evidence establishes restriction. Therefore, a prophetic prohibition is not to be confined to one class of people merely by assumption or custom. Rather, when the Messenger (ﷺ) forbids a matter, the default is that the ruling encompasses all who are addressed by the Sharīʿah, men and women alike, unless there is a specific text removing one category from that ruling.
No clear textual evidence has been established here to exempt women from this prohibition. Mere appeal to adornment is insufficient, as women’s adornment, though broad in many matters, is still regulated by the Sharīʿah. It is not said that because a matter is adornment, every form of it becomes unrestricted. Rather, adornment itself is governed by the rulings of the Sharīʿah.
Some have mentioned permissibility for women on the basis that rings are from their jewelry and beautification. However, this does not overturn the force of the prophetic prohibition, especially when the text itself is general and no authentic, explicit exemption is known.
As for the discussion among some of our noble scholars regarding whether the narration was transmitted regarding both fingers together, or whether one of the narrators was unsure as to which of the two was intended, such discussion does not weaken the practical conclusion. For even if uncertainty entered through one route of narration, the path of caution and adherence is to avoid both the index and middle fingers altogether, since this is what removes one from doubt and accords with the ẓāhir/apparent meaning of the prohibition.
Accordingly, the ruling is that both men and women should avoid wearing rings on the index finger and middle finger, whether on the right hand or the left hand. And whoever wishes to conform to the prophetic guidance should wear a ring on the little finger or ring finger instead.
Thus, a ring is worn on the little finger or ring finger. Wearing it on the index finger or middle finger is contrary to the prophetic guidance and should be avoided by both men and women.
And Allāh knows best.
— Answered by Abū Dilāra Naief al-ʿAydarūs.
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