On Which Hand Should One Wear a Watch?

Answered by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam

Question: I just wanted to know in which hand would it be considered Sunna or recommended to wear the wrist-watch.

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Obviously, it is not possible to find a specific report concerning the watch since there were no watches in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), his Companions and the early Muslims (Allah be pleased with them). However, analogy can be taken from a finger ring, which the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) wore mainly for stamping important letters sent to various heads of state. A wristwatch is also an essential item of use which is worn on the hand and has an element of adornment in it.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) is reported to have worn his ring in both the right and left hand, as explained in detailed in an earlier answer titled, ‘On Which Hand and Finger Should a Man Wear his Silver Ring.’

Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) reports that, ‘the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) wore a silver ring on his right hand which had an Abyssinian stone in it, and he would keep its stone towards the palm.’ (Sahih Muslim, no: 2094)

Sayyiduna Anas (Allah be pleased with him) says, ‘The ring of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) was on this’ and he pointed towards the little finger of his left hand. (Sahih Muslim, no: 2095)

Based on the above, it is perfectly fine to wear the watch on either of the two hands without any dislike (karaha) whatsoever. However, due to the fact that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) favored his right side in all good things, it may be better to wear it on the right hand. A watch is a means of great good such as keeping track of prayer times, and as such, wearing it on the right hand with this intention in mind will hopefully be rewarded Insha Allah.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa (daruliftaa.com)
Leicester, UK