Law of Men Wearing Necklaces in Islam – Is It Allowed?

Jewelry like necklace, rings, bracelets, and earrings are one of grooming accessories.  Even in this modern era and modish like now, jewelry has become a necessity.

Jewelry like necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings are not only used by women, but now many men also wear it as jewelry to support their grooming. So, they feel that they are looked more beautiful and charming when use jewelry.

The law of wearing jewelry for women and men has been explained in Islam. And the law of wearing gold for men in Islam is different with the law of wearing gold for women.

In Islam, Men are forbidden or haram to wear gold jewelry. So, how is the law of men wearing necklaces in Islam?  In this chance, we will discuss more about it. Let check it below.

See also :

• Law of men use marriage ring in Islam
• The law of women waring white gold in Islam

Men Wearing Necklaces in Islam

In Islam, there is no dalil that discuss directly about this matter, but we can cased on the Hadith and the words of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala which has related with this matter.

Men are allowed to use necklaces if it does not break rules and prohibitions in Shari’a and the basis of Islamic law. He is allowed if the goal is not as jewelry and he is obligated to wear it. For example, he is wearing a necklace as identity card when he goes to Hajj or other events.

Commonly, if a man uses a necklace as jewelry, he will be proud and showing off it to others. He feels comfortable when he uses it. Even, he will be very happy if there is someone who praises him. See also prohibition of arrogance in Islam.

Meanwhile, if a man does not use a necklace as jewelry, he will feel uncomfortable and patient when wear it because it relates with his needs.

If that necklace is devoted as woman’s jewelry, then it is clear that men is not allowed to use it because there is tasyabbuh bin-nisa (resemble a woman).

Something is said tasyabbuh bin-nisa or bir-rijal (resemble a man), if something is devoted for a woman or a man. So if a man use something which it is devoted for a woman, then it is tasyabbuh bin-nisa, and vice versa. These two tasyabbuh are  forbidden clearly in Sharia.

وَقَدْ ضَبَطَ ابْنُ دَقِيقِ الْعِيدِ مَا يَحْرُمُ التَّشَبُّهُ بِهِنَّ فِيهِ بِأَنَّهُ مَا كَانَ مَخْصُوصًا بِهِنَّ فِي جِنْسِهِ وَهَيْئَتِهِ أَوْ غَالِبًا فِي زِيِّهِنَّ وَكَذَا يُقَالُ فِي عَكْسِهِ

[AdSense-B]

“Ibn Daqiq al-Id has given limit about haram things that resemble a woman, it is special thing for women both types or or parts, or commonly it is their jewelry. And vice-versa.” (Syamsuddin ar-Ramli, Nihayah al-Muhtaj ila Syarh al-Minhaj, Bairut-Dar al-Fikr, 1404 H/1984, juz 2, page 374)

قَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا يَجُوزُ لِلرَّجُلِ خَاتَمُ الْفِضَّةِ بِالْاِجْمَاعِ وَأَمَّا مَا سِوَاهُ مِنْ حُلِيِّ الْفِضَّةِ كَالسِّوَارِ وَالْمُدَمْلَجِ وَالطَّوْقِ وَنَحْوِهَا فَقَطَعَ الْجُمْهُورُ بِتَحْرِيمِهَا

“Ulama from our madzhab (Syafii madzhab) said, allow for men to wear silver rings according to ijma of Ulama. While in others is jewelry that is made from silver such as bracelets, bracelets that are used between elbow and shoulder, necklaces and the like, then the majority of Ulama decide that it is haram.” (Muhyidin Syarf an-Nawawi, al-Majmu’ Syarh al-Muhadzdzab, tahqiq : Muhammad Bakhith Muthi’i, Jeddah-Maktabah al-Irsyad, juz 4,page 331)

But, men are forbidden to wear necklaces in Islam because there are some elements in that necklaces, such as :

1. The necklace is made from gold

The law of wearing gold jewelry for men in Islam has been very clear, it is haram or forbidden. That prohibition is based on the word of the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam.

From Amirul Mu’minin Ali bin Abi Thalib rhadiyallahu ‘anhu that the Messenger of Allah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam took silk and he put it in his right hand. Then, He took gold and he put it in his left hand. Then, the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam said :

“Indeed, both of these things (silk and gold) are forbidden for men from my people.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i)

[AdSense-A] In other hadith, from Ibn Abbas radhiyallahu ‘anhuma, once upon a time, the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam saw his companion who wear a gold ring. He took it directly,  threw that ring and said :

يَعْمِدُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى جَمْرَةٍ مِنْ نَارٍ فَيَجْعَلُهَا فِى يَدِه

“You take a part of Hell intentionally and put it in your hand.” (Narrated by Muslim 5593)

From that hadith, we know clearly that gold is forbidden for Muslim men. So, men must keep away to wear jewelry which is made from gold as its material.

See also : The law of women wearing gold in Islam

2. The Goal is as jewelry

A man is forbidden to wear a necklace if his goal is as jewelry and he just wants to show it to many people. Wearing jewelry is a behavior that women usually do and it is signs of women. Then, if the goal of a man wears a necklace is alike a woman, so the law is forbidden or haram.

In a hadith, The Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam said that he damned a man who is alike a woman and a woman who is alike a man. The hadith is below :

“Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam damned a man who is alike a woman and a woman who is alike a man.”  (Narrated by Bukhari)

That hadith is explained that a man is forbidden to imitate a woman and wear jewelry which it is a sign of women. If he wears it, so it means that he has been alike a woman.

3. The Jewelry does not contain a polytheism element

In Islam, Idolatry or associating others with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is a polytheism behavior in Islam. It is very forbidden by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. In the Al-Qur’an, Surah Al-Maidah verse 72, there is a sentence which reads :

“…… Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And thee are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.”

From that verse, we can know clearly that associating Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is a polytheism behavior where Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala hates it.

So, if the goal of wearing a necklace for man as a good luck charm or other polytheism behaviors, then that is forbidden or haram. See also list of unforgiveable sins in Islam .

Indeed, there is no quran verses that discuss about the law of wearing necklaces directly in Islam. But we cannot use whatever we want, too. We should know more about its law first. So, as a Muslim, we can always be in the right place and get His blessings.

Thus the article about the law of wearing necklaces for men in Islam. Hopefully, it can be useful for you. Thank you.