Exchanging rings and watches etc
As salaamu Alaykum
Kindly advise, what is the ruling of a bride and groom exchanging rings and watches at the time of Nikaah. Is it permissible/advisable to give a ring to the groom?
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
The exchanging of gifts in itself is an act of virtue and encouraged in Shari’ah. However, it will be discouraged if any party feels compelled to give out theses gifts. Furthermore, it is an innovation to hold any ceremonies for the exchange of these gifts.
If there is no compulsion or ceremony, then it will be permissible to exchange the gifts. It should be borne in mind that the to-be bridge and groom are still not Mahrams for each other (until the Nikah), and hence the gifts should be given via a Mahram.
References
( أخذ أهل المرأة شيئا عند التسليم فللزوج أن يسترده ) لأنه رشوة .
( قوله عند التسليم ) أي بأن أبى أن يسلمها أخوها أو نحوه حتى يأخذ شيئا ، وكذا لو أبى أن يزوجها فللزوج الاسترداد قائما أو هالكا لأنه رشوة بزازية . (رد المحتار – 3 / 156)
(فتاوي محمودية – 11 / 186)