48/39. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5142 — Gold Jewelry and Better Alternatives
Dislike for Women to Show Their Jewelry and Gold
Hadith About Gold Jewelry and Silver Alternatives
Sunan an-Nasai : 5142
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5142
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ شَاهِينَ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ، ح وَأَنْبَأَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَسْبَاطٌ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْجَهْمِ، عَنْ أَبِي زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ كُنْتُ قَاعِدًا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَتَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ سِوَارَيْنِ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ . قَالَ " سِوَارَانِ مِنْ نَارٍ " . قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ طَوْقٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ . قَالَ " طَوْقٌ مِنْ نَارٍ " . قَالَتْ قُرْطَيْنِ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ . قَالَ " قُرْطَيْنِ مِنْ نَارٍ " . قَالَ وَكَانَ عَلَيْهِمَا سِوَارَانِ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَرَمَتْ بِهِمَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ إِذَا لَمْ تَتَزَيَّنْ لِزَوْجِهَا صَلِفَتْ عِنْدَهُ . قَالَ " مَا يَمْنَعُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ أَنْ تَصْنَعَ قُرْطَيْنِ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ ثُمَّ تُصَفِّرَهُ بِزَعْفَرَانٍ أَوْ بِعَبِيرٍ " . اللَّفْظُ لاِبْنِ حَرْبٍ .
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "I was sitting with the Prophet [SAW] when a woman came to him and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, two bracelets of gold.' He said: 'Two bracelets of fire.' She said: 'O Messenger of Allah, a necklace of gold.' He said: 'A necklace of fire.' She said: 'Two earrings of gold.' He said: 'Two earrings of fire.' She was wearing two bracelets of gold, so she took them off and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, if a woman does not adorn herself for her husband, she will become unattractive to him.' He said: 'What is there to keep any one of you from making earrings of silver and painting them yellow with saffron or some 'Abir'?' This is the wording of Ibn Harb.
[1] 'Abîr is saffron and a mixture of other perfumes.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5142In-book reference : Book 48, Hadith 103English translation : Vol. 6, Book 48, Hadith 5145
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5142
This hadith about gold jewelry records a direct conversation with the Prophet SAW. A woman asked about two gold bracelets, a gold necklace, and two gold earrings. Each time, he answered with a warning using the word fire. She then explained that a woman may want to adorn herself for her husband. The Prophet SAW did not ignore that concern. He gave a practical alternative: earrings made of silver, colored yellow with saffron or some Abir. The teaching stays close to the text: when a form of adornment is warned against, a believer should look for a safer and simpler choice. The report also shows that questions about dress and beauty were brought to the Prophet SAW openly.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet SAW answered questions about jewelry with clear warning and guidance.
- The woman spoke honestly about adorning herself for her husband.
- The Prophet SAW gave a practical alternative using silver and yellow coloring.
- A believer can seek beauty while still staying within prophetic guidance.
