1- This prohibition is based upon a number of the sayings of the prophet and
has been approved by the majority of Muslim scholars.Their opinion is that
strength and resolution are essential qualities in a man and Islam advocates
that a man should not be surrounded by any signs of weakness or for that matter
signs of luxury since luxury usually goes hand in hand with social injustice. A
man should be resolute, determined and courageous in everyday life and when he
participates in battles to defend his faith and homeland. Wearing gold
ornaments and clothes made of silk are indications of luxury which is not
approved of by Islam. Moreover, Islam does not forbid women to wear gold
ornaments, any form of jewelry, or silk material since woman’s love of gold,
jewelry and adornment is an inherent trait in their nature.
2- In spite of this prohibition should the necessity arise for a man to
wear clothes made of silk material, Islam permits its use. The prophet Muhammad
permitted Abdel Rahman ben ‘Awf and Al Zubeir ben Al ‘Awam to wear clothes made
of silk when they suffered from a form of allergy of their skin .
3-The Imam , Al shawkani, who died about 1840, made an intensive study of all
the facts and data concerning this matter and he reached the conclusion that
the use of gold and silk material are not prohibited but are looked upon with
distaste, which signifies that it is a degree less than that of actual
prohibition. He established his opinion on the fact that no less than twenty of
the Companions of the prophet, among whom were Anas and Al Baraa’ ben’ Azab,
wore clothes made of silk material. Had such a matter been prohibited they
would never have worn these clothes and the rest o their Companions would never
have allowed the matter to pass undisputed.
4- As regards the wearing of gold rings, most Muslim scholars declared its
prohibition and they based their opinion on several sayings of the
Prophet. Another group of Muslim scholars maintained that It was not Prohibited
but was looked upon with distaste. They came to this conclusion when they learnt
that a number of the Prophet’s Companions, among whom were sad ben Abu Waqas,
Talha ben ’Obied Allah, Soheib, Hutheyfa, Jaber ben Samra and Al Baraa’ ben
’Azeb wore gold rings. Therefore wearing gold ring is looked upon with distaste
but not prohibited .