Wearing Ornaments

Question:
Linked bangles (gelang penguluan), bangles that tinkle with bells (gelang geruncung, for men) and other similar adornments made of Brunei gold or brass are used by both bride and groom. What is the ruling on wearing such adornment prohibited by religion? Is there a hadîth that prohibits women from wearing ornaments that tinkle?

Answer:
Women are permitted to wear gold ornaments. This permission is based on the hadîth of Rasulullah Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam:
Meaning: “From Ali bin Abu Talib Radhiallahu ‘anhu: “That the Prophet Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam took silk and placed it on his right, and took gold and placed it on his left. He then said: “Verily both of these are harâm (forbidden) to my male followers.” Meaning (both) “halâl (lawful) for their women.”(Hadîth narrated by Abu Daud)
Whereas the hadîth narrated by Ibn Majah proclaims:
Meaning: “From Ali bin Abu Talib Radhiallahu ‘anhu: “Rasulullah Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam took silk with his left hand and gold with his right. Raising his hands still holding both these objects, he has said: “Verily both of these things are harâm (unlawful) to my male followers and halâl (lawful) to the women among them.”(Hadîth narrated by Ibn Majah)
Based on this hadîth, we are given to understand that it is harâm for men to wear tinkling bangles made of gold or even if they are made of brass, because bangles are women’s adornment and if worn by men then that is transgressing the law on imitation of the opposite sex (women).
This ruling is based on the hadîth of Rasulullah Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, in which he has said:
Meaning: “Allah curses women who imitate men and (curses) men who imitate women.”(Hadîth narrated by Ahmad bin Hanbal, Abu Daud, at-Tirmidzi and Ibn Majah)
It is permissible for women to wear adornment like rings, bangles, pendants and such within the limits set by shara‘. These adornment can be made from silver, gold, diamond, and such, as long as they are not used in excess of the set limit.
This allowance among others, is based on the hadîth of Rasulullah Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam. From Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, verily Rasulullah Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam has said:
Meaning: “It is declared harâm for the men among my followers to wear silk and gold (adornment) but it is halâl for the women among them.”(Hadîth narrated by at-Tirmidzi)
Although it is permissible for women to wear adornment, al‑Qur’an guides them so as not to go beyond the original rule. The guideline is as said by Allah Ta‘âla:
Translated: “And say to the believing women, that they cast down their glances (from looking at what is harâm) and guard their chastity, and reveal not their adornment, except that which must appear, and let them draw their veils around their garments over their chests, and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, or believing women, or what their right hands possess of women, or male servants (eunuch) proven free of physical desire, or young children who have no sense of the shameful parts. Nor let them strike their feet, so that their hidden ornaments may attract. And repent all together to Allah, O you who believe! So that you may be successful.”(Sûrah an-Nûr: 31)
The guidance obtained from the content of that verse, as found in the book Rawâ’i‘ al-Bayân, written by Ash-Sheikh Ali aš-Šabuni, is:
i. To look (at women) is to start adultery, a gateway to sinful deeds; it is not the path befitting of the faithful.
ii. To avoid looking at women and safeguarding one’s private organs is (a way of) preserving purity and avoiding filth and dishonour for mankind.
iii. Women are not allowed to show their adornment except to their husbands and their male relatives who are their mahram (with whom marriage is forbidden).
iv. It is wâjib (obligation) for Muslim women to cover their heads, necks and chests with their veils so that these are not seen by men who are not their mahram.
v. Young children, slaves, and children who do not understand sex because they are still too young, are not prohibited from entering the women’s quarters.
vi. It is harâm for a Muslim woman to do something which attracts the attention of men, or stimulates (them) and causes fitnah (trial or affliction).
vii. It is the responsibility of all mu’min (believers), male or female, to return to Allah with penitence and submission to Him, as well as holding on to Islamic etiquette and rule on propriety.
viii. The etiquette and rule on propriety displayed by Islam contain preservation of family honour and the maintenance of Islamic society.
Based on the explanation on the above verse from al-Qur’an: Wearing adornment that make sounds is prohibited (harâm) because the sound will attract men’s attention to these women as shown in the verse:
Translated: “And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment.”(Sûrah an-Nûr: 31)
In fact women are forbidden from everything that attracts the attention of or stimulate men carnally. This is the reason why women are prohibited from wearing fragrances in the presence of unrelated men.
The prohibition against women wearing tinkling ornaments was also mentioned in what Rasulullah Šallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam has said:
Meaning: “The angels will not accompany whichever group that has among them someone with many bells (ornaments or toys with bells).”(Hadîth narrated by an-Nasâ’i)
He has also said:
Meaning: “The angels will not enter a house which has inside it, bells. And the angels will not accompany whichever group that has bells.”(Hadîth narrated by an-Nasâ’i)
Meaning: “The angels will not be with a particular group which has with it bells.”(Hadîth narrated by an-Nasâ’i)