Is It Permissible To Wear a Watch That Has Engravings of Animate Life on It?

Question:

Is it permissible to wear a watch that has engravings of animate life on it?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

It is forbidden to wear clothes that have pictures of animate life on them in the Shafi’i school. [Sharh Muslim, Nawawi] Wearing a watch is one and the same thing, even if the image is turned towards one’s wrist.

The issue is, How clear is the image? Is it just a silhouette? Does it have all the body parts needed to survive if it were actually alive? If not, then it is not sinful to wear.

If the watch is expensive or of sentimental value, you could always take it to someone to file off or spray over the engraving.

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid Dingle

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.