Question: Do Muslims Wear Wedding Rings?

To answer the question, “Do Muslims wear wedding rings,” it's best to first understand what wedding rings are and their cultural and religious significance. Then you’ll know what hand or finger Muslims use wedding rings on, what type they prefer, or whether they should use them at all.

Where Did the Exchange of Wedding Rings Begin?

The tradition of exchanging wedding rings can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In ancient, pagan Egypt, wedding rings were made from braided hemp or reeds and symbolized eternity due to their circular shape, which has no beginning or end. Cute! But should Muslims wear wedding rings?

The Egyptians believed that the vein of love (vena amoris) ran directly from the fourth finger on the left hand to the heart, a notion that has influenced the modern practice of wearing the wedding ring on this finger.

The Greeks and Romans adopted the tradition from the Egyptians. They began using more durable materials like iron and gold, and the rings often featured intricate designs, engravings, and gemstones. The circle continued to symbolize eternal love and commitment.

Wedding Rings Sweep Through Europe

The practice of wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand persists in many Western countries from the Middle Ages and on, stemming from the ancient belief in the vena amoris.

During the Middle Ages, the rings were often inscribed with religious symbols and messages, reflecting the strong influence of Christianity on marriage customs. In the Renaissance era, wedding rings became more elaborate and decorative. Poesy rings, which were bands of sterling silver inscribed with poems or messages, became popular. These rings were often given as tokens of love and devotion.

Gimmel and Puzzle Rings

During the 16th and 17th centuries, European husbands bestowed gimmel rings upon their wives. These rings consisted of two interlocking bands, one worn by the bride and the other by the groom. The bands were reunited during the wedding ceremony, symbolizing the union of the couple. Puzzle rings, which consisted of multiple interlocking bands, were also popular during this time. These rings were believed to represent the complexity and unity of marriage, which is also nice. But should Muslims wear these wedding rings?

Modern Day Significance of Wedding Rings

In Western countries, the wedding isn’t complete without wedding rings. Because non-Muslim brides receive no dowry in the West, a large bridal ring is seen as a similar gesture of love and appreciation. The bigger the diamond, the more value the groom attributes to his bride and so on. Families and friends might even coerce the bride to demand bigger and bigger diamonds, as the ring is also a status symbol for the bride, her quality of friends, the family and its good character.

Do Muslims Wear Wedding Rings? 

Wedding rings are popular in Muslim countries as a symbol of modernity, like the white bridal gown. So in many places, a bride will typically receive a dowry and a wedding ring, whereas only the dowry is an Islamic tradition. Like a white wedding, wedding rings are customs that were adopted directly from European non-Muslims. Wedding bands were derived from pagan customs, and many Muslims shy away from wedding bands just based on that. 

In short, Muslims do many things, some are acceptable in Islam and others are not. It’s important to know where a custom comes from and its cultural significance before adopting it as permissible.