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1. I heard that there is a scholarly opinion that it is permissible to wear gold watches on the basis that they are not really jewellery, rather they are like tools or gadgets. Is there such an opinion? Is it trustworthy?
2. I want to become a watchmaker. Is it permissible for me to put together watches that are made of gold?
3. Will it be permissible for me to repair watches made of gold?
Praise be to Allah.
It is not permissible for men to wear anything made of gold, whether it is a watch, a ring or anything else.
That is because of the report narrated by Abu Dawud (4057), al-Nasai (5144) and Ibn Majah (3595) from ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) took a piece of silk in his right hand and some gold in his left, then he said: “These two are haram for the men of my ummah.” Classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud.
Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Muslim (14/32):
“With regard to gold rings, they are haram for men according to scholarly consensus. The same applies if they are part gold and part silver. Our companions said: If the top of the ring is gold or if it is lightly plated with gold, it is haram, because of the general meaning of the hadith concerning silk and gold, “These two are haram for the males of my ummah and halal for the females.”
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:
“If the watch or its band is made of gold , it is not permissible for men to wear it. If it is not made of gold, then it is permissible for men to wear it.” Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daimah, 24/63
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“There is nothing wrong with gold plated watches for women, but for men they are haram, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade gold to the males of his ummah.” (Majmu‘ Fatawa wa Rasail Ibn ‘Uthaymin, 11/62)
But if the watch is made of precious stones , not gold, it is permissible for men to wear it, so long as it is not women’s jewellery and does not resemble such, and so long as keeping it is not extravagance.
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:
“Wearing rings is permissible for men if they are made of silver or precious stones, not gold, because of the sahih report from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), that he wore a ring of silver. (Agreed upon) And it is not permissible for men to wear gold rings or to wear any kind of women’s jewellery.” (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daimah, 24/67)
With regard to making gold watches, if they are made for women, it is permissible, but if they are made for men, it is haram, because that comes under the heading of helping the sinner in his sin, and approving of it, and Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.” [al-Maidah 5:2].
The same ruling applies to repairing watches made of gold. If it is known or thought most likely that the one who will wear it is a woman, it is permissible to repair them. But if it is known or thought most likely that the one who will wear it is a man, then it is not permissible. The basic principle concerning all of that is that it is not permissible to disobey Allah or to help a sinner in disobeying Allah.
And Allah knows best.