- How are wedding rings worn in Russia?
- Do Muslims wear wedding rings?
- How do Catholics deal with this?
- The Armenians?
- The Turks?
- On which hand do Americans wear wedding rings?
- Jews?
- Divorced?
- Widows and widowers?
- What do they wear instead of rings?
- Are Wedding Rings Safe?
- Do homosexuals wear wedding rings too?
The tradition of wearing wedding rings appeared before our era, presumably in ancient Egypt (according to other sources, in ancient Greece), although archaeologists and historians cannot yet say for sure - it is not a fact that some of the unearthed ancient rings were wedding rings.
In ancient times, rings, due to their complete circle shape, symbolized infinity. Thus, wearing wedding rings symbolized endless love and fidelity in marriage for both spouses.
This tradition has survived for centuries and has survived almost unchanged to this day. Now crossed wedding rings are a recognized symbol of newlyweds, marriage, and family.
However, in different cultures, countries and religions, the tradition of wearing wedding rings varies slightly, most often slightly.
On which hand do they wear a wedding ring in Russia?
In Russia, it is customary to wear a wedding ring on the ring finger of the right hand for both men and women. It is on the right hand that the wedding ring is worn, because Orthodox Christians cross themselves with their right hand.
It is by the ring on the ring finger of the right hand that others can determine a person’s status: whether he is married or single. There are many jokes and anecdotes about guys or girls who want to flirt and take off their wedding rings at this moment.
This applies to secular or moderately religious (not fully following the canons and prescriptions of religion) Russians of different nationalities and Orthodox Christians, from whom the tradition of wearing wedding rings on the right hand and ring finger originated in Rus'.
Other signs
People are convinced that a wedding ring is a magical symbol of marriage. And they want to know on which hand the ring is worn, whether it is possible to remove it so that there is family happiness. There are many signs associated with these jewelry:
You should not be allowed to try on and wear your own wedding band. If someone insists on trying it on, you must first remove the product and put it on the table.- You also need to take it back from the table. Before putting it on, hold it under running water or in a saline solution.
- There is no need to engage in items that previously belonged to a widow or a divorced couple. But if young people inherited accessories from grandparents who had been married for many years, this is a happy omen. You can take wedding bands from spouses who have lived together for more than a quarter of a century.
- If an unmarried girl accidentally touches the bride’s ring at a wedding, she will also soon get married.
On which hand do Muslims wear a wedding ring?
Russian Muslims, for example, Tatars or Muslims of the North Caucasus, if they profess religious service, do not wear wedding rings at all.
Firstly, a Muslim man is, in principle, not allowed to wear gold rings, only silver and other metals. Secondly, this tradition is not Muslim in principle, which means it is based on imitation of “infidels,” which automatically imposes a ban on it.
In addition, the belief that wearing wedding rings in one way or another strengthens the marriage, and that removing or not wearing rings, on the contrary, puts the family at risk, is considered a harmful superstition, something of a heresy.
Tatars and representatives of other nationalities, living according to secular laws in big cities, wear wedding rings in the same place as Russians - on the ring finger of the right hand.
What materials can Islamic rings be made from?
Faith forbids men to wear gold. It is recommended to give preference to rings made of silver, copper, and alloys of base metals. But women are allowed to wear gold; there are no strict prohibitions here. The most orthodox couples often order a set of rings made of silver.
This is interesting!
Muslim men are very pedantic when it comes to choosing their wedding rings. There are even special regulations regarding how many grams a “correct” ring should weigh so as not to cause haram.
Is it possible to wear gold wedding rings and rings?
It should be immediately clarified that regarding gold in general, there is a prohibition in Sharia for Muslim men: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade Muslim men from wearing and wearing gold. This also applies to wedding rings. When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw that a certain Muslim man was wearing a gold wedding ring, he took it right from the man’s hand with the words “ Would anyone want to take a coal from the fire and hold it in his hand? " It is considered unacceptable for Muslim men to wear gold, but they can wear rings made of any other metal besides gold - silver or other precious metals.
As an answer to this question, the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are also cited, who, according to the testimony of Ali ibn Abu Talib, taking a piece of gold in one hand and a piece of silk in the other, called both forbidden for the men of his ummah. The fact that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ forbade men to wear gold is confirmed by Abu Huraira. In his interpretation of the hadith from al-Baraa ibn Hajar, he mentions that there are seven prohibitions for Muslim men from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and one of such prohibitions is wearing a gold ring. And he mentioned that this ban does not apply to women.
Which ring is forbidden to wear?
It is forbidden to wear a gold ring. Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) take a piece of silk in his right hand and a piece of gold in his left hand, after which he said: “Verily this and this is forbidden.” for the men of my community” (quoted by Abu Dawud with a good isnad). Shubat narrated from Qatadat from Nazri ibn Anas from Bashiri ibn Nahik from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with them): “Truly the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the gold ring for men.”
Ibn Hajar (may Allah be pleased with him) writes in his interpretation of the hadith of al-Barraa: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade us seven things, and one of these prohibitions is the wearing of a gold ring by men, but not by women.”
In the commentary to Sahih al-Muslim, the unanimous opinion of scholars states: “It is forbidden for men to wear gold and what was permitted at the beginning of Islam has been abolished.”
Ibn Hajar also says: “Gold is forbidden to a man, whether in small quantities or in large quantities” (Fathu al-Bari, no. 10/391).
On which hand do Catholics wear their wedding ring?
Catholics, unlike other Orthodox Christians, wear wedding rings on their left hand, but also on their ring finger. By the way, in some countries this finger is not called the ring finger, but is called the “ring finger” - so rooted and entrenched is the idea of wearing a wedding ring on this particular finger.
On which hand do Turks wear a wedding ring?
The Turks, like many other nationalities, unlike Russia, have a tradition of engagement. So, after an engagement, Turks wear wedding rings on the ring finger of their right hand, and after the wedding they put it on their left.
Wedding rings for Turkish men, due to the ban on Muslims wearing gold, are most often made of silver.
On which hand do Jews wear a wedding ring?
For Jews, as always, everything is a little more complicated. At a wedding, a girl can wear a wedding ring on both her index and middle fingers (specifically in Jerusalem), but always on her right hand. After the wedding, the ring moves to the left hand.
The Torah does not directly prohibit a man from wearing a wedding ring (but does prohibit a girl from putting a ring on the groom during the wedding ceremony), but theologians strongly discourage this, again, for the same reason as among Muslims, due to the fact that this tradition came to them from other religions.
On which hand do divorced people wear a wedding ring?
Usually, after a divorce, rings are not worn, but if the engagement ring is expensive or you like it on its own, for example, it is encrusted with precious stones, women simply change it to the other hand.
After a divorce, men prefer not to wear a wedding ring, primarily because they want to appear free to members of the opposite sex.
The meaning of rings for husband and wife
Today their choice is huge. And rings are already being bought as jewelry. By the type and shape of the accessory you can learn about the financial well-being of the family, as well as the relationship of the married couple.
This is also influenced by the shape and design of the jewelry:
- Thin and smooth rings are preferred by people who want to start a family with their loved one. Such marriages are strong and durable.
- A classic, but massive and wide decoration symbolizes that the couple doubts the strength of the relationship. The newlyweds try in this way to strengthen their future marriage and protect themselves from a possible breakup.
- Rings with notches and engravings, decorated with precious stones show that the husband and wife strive to maintain the richness of family relationships. Such marriages soon break up.
On which hand do widows and widowers wear their wedding ring?
People who have experienced the loss of a spouse and do not want to enter into a new relationship usually leave their wedding rings, but everyone wears them differently.
- So, for example, some widows simply wear their wedding ring, without removing it, where it was during marriage, as a symbol of fidelity to their deceased spouse - this symbol also “scares off” potential strangers-admirers.
- Some widows wear two rings at once on one hand or even on one finger - their own and their husband’s ring.
- There are those who wear rings on different hands, for example, theirs on their left hand, and the deceased’s on their right.
- There is also a tradition of wearing the ring of a deceased spouse on a chain around the neck, which is also a symbol of fidelity and love.
- Because men's rings are often larger than women's, some widows wear their husband's ring on their thumb.
Can a person who has not been married wear it?
The answer is simple - this should not be done under any circumstances. The symbol must remain a symbol, and family values belong to married people. You can decorate the fingers of an unmarried person with any jewelry that is present in abundance on jewelry counters, except for engagement rings.
According to various signs and beliefs, wearing it before marriage brings harm to its owner, for example, a long period of celibacy or an unsuccessful marriage relationship.
What do you wear instead of a wedding ring?
Each tradition has its exceptions and nuances. Some cannot wear wedding rings for religious reasons, some cannot because of work, many are allergic to precious metals, and there are those who simply do not want to wear rings due to simple discomfort.
However, lovers, one way or another, require symbols of their love. In order to indicate your belonging and affection to a loved one, there are many options:
- a variety of bracelets, decorated with or without symbols of love;
- rings made of wood, glass and other hypoallergenic materials;
- threads of different colors that are tied around one of the fingers;
- key rings that you carry with you all the time;
- tattoos on fingers or other places symbolizing love and devotion.
How much should a ring weigh?
Hanafi opinion: the ring should weigh no more than 4.25 grams.
Maliki opinion: a man is allowed to wear a silver ring weighing 2.975 grams, but if it weighs more, then it is already haram.
The opinion of the Shafi'is: a certain number of grams is not established, the weight that is typical for the rings that many people usually wear is permissible, and what differs from the usual is israf. Imam Azrai said: “And it is correct that there should not be more than one mithqal.” One misqal is 4.25 grams.
The opinion of the Hanbalis: there is nothing wrong if there is one mithqal or more, since there is no definition on this matter. What is permissible is what does not go beyond custom, otherwise it is haram (see “Mawsuatu al-Fikhiyati”, No. 11/27).
Is it safe to wear a wedding ring?
Wearing a wedding ring may be unsafe in some cases. For representatives of some professions in some countries (for example, in the UK for medical personnel), there is even an outright ban on wearing wedding rings. For doctors, the reason is that the space under the ring is not disinfected during standard disinfection procedures, which means that a medical worker with a wedding ring may pose some danger to patients and to himself.
For those who work with their hands (car mechanics, working on factory machines, construction workers), wearing a wedding ring is prohibited by safety regulations. Many representatives of blue-collar professions themselves remove their wedding rings while working to avoid risk.
However, it is not uncommon for a wedding ring to get caught on any part leading to damage or even the cutting off of a finger and other, even more serious injuries.
There is a known case of a Swiss football player who caught his wedding ring on the stand fence while celebrating a goal. Jumping from the fence, he tore off his finger, which, however, the doctors present at the match managed to disinfect and freeze in time. Subsequently, the football player’s finger was sewn on.
Gold is forbidden for men in Islam
The use of what outwardly adorns a Muslim is encouraged:
“Tell me, who forbade the ornaments of Allah (God, Lord) [everything pleasing to the eye and heart, good, graceful, refined], which He brought out for people, and the good of goods (from food)?!” (see Holy Quran, 7:32).
However, there are two things that are permitted for Muslim women but prohibited for Muslim men. These are gold jewelry and clothes made of pure silk.
The companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Imam 'Ali, reported: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took [natural] silk fabric in his left hand, and gold in his right. He raised both hands and exclaimed: “These two things are forbidden for men among my followers, but permissible for women.”[1]
The following incident from the time of the Prophet Muhammad is known: “Seeing a gold ring (signet ring) on the hand of one of the companions, the Messenger of God took the ring from the man’s hand, threw it aside and said: “Some of you lean on the coal of Hell and place it on your hand."
After the Prophet Muhammad left, those present said to the man: “Take (pick up) your ring and make [other] use out of it!” He replied: “No, I swear to God! I will never take it [in my hands], because the Messenger of God (may the Almighty bless and greet him) threw it away [2].
A direct prohibition on wearing a gold ring (signet ring) by men is also present, for example, in the set of hadiths of Imam al-Bukhari[3].
Gold cufflinks, pens, watches and other similar items are defined by Islamic theologians as falling under this prohibition.
The ban on wearing gold jewelry and clothing made of pure natural silk for Muslim men corresponds in importance to the canonical ban on alcohol. And this prohibition applies to any time, especially the time of prayer.
As for wedding rings for men, silver rings are recommended for them.
Answers to questions on the topic
Is it permissible for a Muslim to wear a silver crescent moon as jewelry?
It's better not to wear it. Let your actions be the epitome of your faith.
Can men wear platinum rings? What stones are allowed?
A platinum ring is possible[4]. Stones - at your request and discretion.
Does a Muslim need to wear a ring after marriage and can he wear white gold? Faik.
There is no canonical obligation or desirability of wearing a wedding ring.
But in the realities of our time, it is extremely desirable for a man to wear a wedding ring, which protects him from the attention of strangers, being a clear and understandable sign of his marital status.
Do homosexuals wear wedding rings?
Gays who have officially married in countries where this is permitted wear wedding rings in accordance with the traditions of the country where they married and live.
However, in Russia officially married gays and lesbians are exotic, although there are those who specifically go to get married in other countries, where this is allowed. However, not many people live in an open marriage, given the society that has little tolerance for such relationships.
Lesbians have a tradition of wearing a ring on their thumb.
If a lesbian wears a ring on her right thumb, she is currently in a relationship with a regular partner. If the ring is located on the thumb of the left hand, the lesbian is in search and would not mind meeting a new girl.
Dmitry Bogdanov
The text was published under the editorship of the author of numerous articles, an expert in the field of relationships, family and marriage.
Lost decoration
It may happen that a person loses his favorite jewelry. Despite the fact that this is a thing and nothing bad will happen, many believe that such a sign is unkind, and the incident can lead to strong conflicts in the family.
If the engagement ring is lost, a person worries about how to protect himself and his family so that nothing bad happens. All the beliefs associated with his loss indicate that problems will begin in the relationship between the spouses.
You can buy new wedding attributes. And the remaining one ring can be taken to church. The priest will tell you what prayer can be read in this case, so that good relations are maintained in the family.
