Q 3: I heard on the "Nur `Ala Al-Darb" program from Shaykh `Abdullah ibn `Abdul-Rahman ibn Ghudayyan that wearing iron rings is prohibited for men. Please, clarify this ruling and mention the evidence. May Allah reward you!

A: It was narrated on the authority of `Abdullah ibn Buraydah that his father (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, "A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he was wearing a gold ring. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, 'Why do I notice the traces of idols on you?' So he threw it away, and came wearing an iron ring. He (the Prophet) said, 'Why do I see you wearing the adornment of the dwellers of Hell?' So he threw it away. Then the man asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! What material should I use?' He said, 'Let it be made of silver, but do not weigh it as much as a Mithqal (1 Mithqal = 4.25 grams).'" (Related by Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy and Al-Nasa'y) Al-Tirmidhy graded it as Hadith Gharib (a Hadith with a single narrator usually at the beginning of the chain of narration). It was also narrated on the authority of Iyas ibn Al-Harith Al-Mu`ayqib that his grandfather said, "The signet-ring of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was of iron polished with silver. Sometimes it remained in my possession." Al-Mu`ayqib was in charge of the signet-ring of the Prophet (peace be upon him). (Related by Abu Dawud (Part No. 24; Page No. 65) and Al-Nasa'y) In the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim), it was narrated on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa`d Al-Ansary (may Allah be pleased with him) that "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to the man who proposed to the woman who presented herself to the Prophet (peace be upon him), 'Try to give her anything, even if it is only an iron ring.'" This substantiates the permissibility of wearing rings made of iron, as confirmed by the Hadith narrated by Mu`ayqib. The Hadith narrated by Buraydah, however, has Da`f (weakness) in its Sanad (chain of narrators). Therefore, the preponderant opinion is that it is not reprehensible to wear rings made of iron; nevertheless, it is preferable for Muslims to wear silver rings because the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to wear a silver signet-ring as authentically confirmed in the Two Sahih.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.