Is wearing a nose ring halal or haram?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Wearing a nose ring has no final ruling. Muslim scholars have different opinions regarding this issue.

The Shafi’i scholars say wearing a nose ring is haram. It is mentioned in Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami’s Tuhfat Al-Muhtaj (The Masterpiece of the Needy Explaining the Curriculum) that nose piercing so as to wear a nose ring is totally haram as it is not a part of adornment that is permissible. Very few people may consider it permissible adornment, but their point of view is not strong enough to be taken as a supporting evidence.

However, there are other scholars who consider nose piercing to wear a nose ring is halal under certain conditions; some of which are: it is worn in a society which considers it acceptable. It should not lead to any harm. It should not be worn to imitate the disbelievers. Finally, it should not be worn to practice some rituals.

Shaikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Uthaymeen was once asked about the ruling on piercing the ear and the nose for women to wear rings as adornment; he said that piercing the ear is allowed as it is a way to let the woman wear her jewelry. He also said it has been proven that the wives of the prophet’s companions used to wear earrings. He talks about the pain that the woman may feel if she pierces her ears; if the ear is pierced while the girl is young, the pain will be mild. However, piercing the nose has not been supported with evidence, but it could be distortion and painful.

Nevertheless, he says that if a woman lives in a society where they consider the nose ring is an allowed adornment, and it is a part of their tradition, then the woman can wear it. (The Collection of Ibn Uthaymeen Fatwas).

To conclude, as wearing a nose ring is not acceptable in our society, nor is it considered as adornment, it will be better if a woman does not wear it. If it is a part of adornment, she can wear it provided that she must make sure that it is not an imitation of disbelievers, nor is it a symbol of haram traditions. It should be worn at home only where her husband or her mahrams can see her.