Have you ever asked yourself, “What are the 3 rings of marriage?”. You might have heard a famous joke regarding it, but we aren’t referring to it. The actual rings of marriage are- the engagement ring, the wedding ring, and the eternity ring.
Each of these rings carries a profound meaning associated with love, promises, and commitment. In this article, we will dive deeper into the meaning of these rings and their significance.
The Symbolism of the Three Rings in Marriage
Married women nowadays tend to wear three rings on the left finger. Apart from the engagement and the wedding rings, they wear a third ring called the eternity ring. The addition of the third ring not only makes the rings look uniform as a whole but it also offers value to the person wearing it.
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Here’s what each ring signifies:
1. The Engagement Ring
The first ring a woman receives from her partner is the engagement ring. It is received after acceptance of a proposal. This ring is worn to show the union of two individuals and their commitment to embark on a new journey together.
Engagement rings typically attract the most attention because of their sparkling gemstone in the center. The centerpiece is traditionally a diamond, but a person can choose to have a sapphire, ruby, or emerald stone depending on their partner’s preferences. There can also be smaller stones surrounding the dominant stone and along the band.
While engagement rings are prevalent among women, men can also wear them if they want. But, according to the Sharia law, men are not allowed to wear rings, watches, or other accessories made of any type of gold. The same applies even if the accessory is lightly plated with gold.
When choosing an engagement ring, it is crucial to know a partner’s taste since they are likely to wear it forever.
2. The Wedding Ring
The second ring is the wedding ring which is exchanged during the wedding ceremony. A wedding band portrays that a couple has promised to love each other and remain to their commitments.
A wedding ring is typically a band of precious metal, such as gold, platinum, or palladium. Nowadays, couples tend to choose tungsten bands as they are durable and scratch-resistant. The band can either be plain or encrusted with tiny stones. It is often chosen so that it matches the engagement ring.
3. The Eternity Ring
The last ring of marriage is the eternity ring. It represents the celebration of a special event, such as an anniversary or the birth of the first child. Through this ring, a partner can express their unconditional love and commitment throughout their journey.
Like a wedding ring, the eternity ring can either be plain or set with tiny gemstones. Additionally, spouses can choose to have a name or symbol engraved in the ring.
Are the Three Rings in Marriage Permissible in Islam?
From an Islamic perspective, wearing rings to signify any belief is considered impermissible. The giving of rings in marriage is a custom of non-Muslims. They believe that wearing a ring will create a strong bond between couples and that getting it off their finger will affect the relationship.
This kind of belief is regarded as a form of shirk or jahili. A Muslim should not wear a ring related to their marriage as it depicts an attachment to something for which there is no basis in Islam.
As for the engagement ring, it is also not permissible for a man to put it on his soon-to-be wife’s finger. That’s because she is still not his wife until the marriage contract has been done.
FAQ
1. Why are There 3 Rings in a Bridal Set?
A bridal set contains three rings to signify the three special events of a couple’s marital life- engagement, wedding, and anniversary (or the birth of a first child).
2. How Many Rings Are Required to Get Married?
Although most people receive three rings in marriage, some tend to opt for one or two rings. It depends entirely on their preference.
According to the Sharia law, however, wearing rings that signify a belief is impermissible.
3. What is the 3rd Ring in a Wedding Set Called?
The third ring is called the eternal ring and it is worn to mark a special event in a couple’s marital life. It can either be a first, fifth, or tenth anniversary or even the birth of a first child.
4. Can a Muslim Man Wear a Gold Ring?
While it is permissible for a Muslim woman to wear any ring (unless she holds on to a certain belief), it is forbidden for a man to wear a gold ring under any circumstances. When the Prophet (PBUH) saw a man wearing a gold ring, he said:
“Would any one of you take a coal from the fire and hold it in his hand?”
Instead of gold, men are allowed to wear silver, platinum, or other types of metal rings. Also, rings made of precious metals are permissible.
Final Thoughts
So, what are the 3 rings of marriage? You now know that they are the engagement ring, wedding ring, and eternity ring. Also, you have learned about their significance in a couple’s marital life.
It is worth noting that the tradition of wearing these rings comes from non-Muslims as they hold on to a certain belief. Therefore, as a Muslim, you should never consider wearing them by following the belief.
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