Men's qamis and jewelry: rings, watches, and what is permissible in Islam
Men’s jewelry is subject to specific rules in Islam. Contrary to a common misconception, not everything is forbidden—but not everything is permitted either. Here is what fiqh says about rings, watches, and other accessories worn with the qamis.
Gold: a clear prohibition for men
Wearing gold is explicitly forbidden for men according to an authentic and unanimously accepted hadith. The same hadith that prohibits silk also prohibits gold: “These two are forbidden for the males of my community.” (Abu Dawud, Ahmad; authenticated). This prohibition applies to every form of pure gold—rings, chains, bracelets, and watches set with gold.
Men’s rings
Men’s rings are permitted in Islam, including according to the Sunna. The Prophet ﷺ wore a silver ring, which he used as an official seal for his correspondence. Anas ibn Malik (radhiyallahu 'anhu) described this ring as being made of silver with an Ethiopian stone (carnelian or something similar).
Permitted materials
- Silver: the traditional material, explicitly in accordance with the Sunna
- Natural stones (carnelian, agate, onyx): highly valued in Islamic tradition, particularly aqiq (carnelian)
- Steel or titanium: permitted modern materials, with no religious issue
Weight limit
Some scholars recommend not exceeding a reasonable weight for a ring, by analogy with the principle of masculine simplicity, but no specific limit is established in the texts.
Men’s watches
Watches are entirely permissible, with no particular restriction on the model, as long as the case is not made of solid gold. Watches made of steel, titanium, leather, or even silver-plated materials are unproblematic. An elegant watch complements a high-quality qamis very well, particularly for professional or semi-formal occasions.
Men’s necklaces and chains
The question of necklaces for men is more nuanced culturally. From a strictly religious perspective, a necklace made of silver, leather, or a natural material (wood, stone) is not inherently forbidden. However, in many Islamic cultures, necklaces remain associated with a less masculine aesthetic and are therefore less common, without any explicit textual prohibition apart from gold.
Prayer beads (misbaha, sebha)
Prayer beads are not strictly jewelry, but a tool for dhikr (supplication) held in the hand. Made of wood, stone, or bone, they complement traditional Islamic men’s attire very well, particularly during religious occasions and gatherings.
How should these accessories be coordinated with a qamis?
- A silver ring set with carnelian pairs well with a white or beige qamis
- A watch with a brown leather strap naturally complements a khaki or beige qamis
- Light-colored wooden prayer beads (olive wood) harmonize with warm tones; dark wood (ebony) with dark tones
Conclusion
Men’s jewelry in Islam is governed by a simple rule: no gold; everything else (silver, natural stones, steel, leather) is permitted with moderation. A silver ring, an elegant watch, and wooden prayer beads are three perfectly compliant accessories that tastefully complete a well-put-together qamis.