Can Men Wear White Gold or Silk Ties?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: I have a question regarding the permissibility of men (Shafii and Hanafi) wearing hite gold. This would be in regards to watches specifically. I have heard conflicting opinions, with a reference to tarnished gold being permissible (in Reliance of the Traveller). Could you provide clarification?

In addition, I would like to know if men (Shafii and Hanafi) can wear silk ties? Again, I have heard conflicting opinions, one of which indicates the width of the tie ascertains whether it can be worn.

Answer: In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Walaikum assalam,

1. White gold. The only jewelry permissible for men is a silver ring. Rings of any other substance are not permitted, according to both the Hanafis and Shafi`is. [Mawsu`a Fiqhiyya, and Hashiyat Ibn Abidin]

2. If ties are from real silk (=that which is produced from the thread of silkworms), then they are not permitted. Now, while the Hanafi school permits a certain amount of silk in clothes, this is only if it is not entirely or overwhelmingly made from silk, such as silk piping or embroidery.

It is permitted without dislike to wear items of clothing in which there is less than 50% silk content. Entire items, such as silk ties, are not permitted. [Naf` al-Mufti wa’l Sa’il of Imam Abd al-Hayy al-Lakhnawi; Nahlawi, al-Hadhr wa’l Ibaha]

Wassalam,

Faraz Rabbani