Does wearing a ring on a finger other than the little finger (pinky) break an oath sworn not to wear a ring?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Expiations

Book 60 · Issue 6 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Wearing a ring on any finger other than the little finger breaks the oath. The justification is that the person is wearing what they swore to refrain from wearing; this is analogous to wearing trousers as a lower garment (I'tizar with trousers), unlike placing a cap on the foot, which is considered frivolous behavior. There is no difference between the little finger and others except by customary designation.

Supporting text

Al-Shafi'i holds that the oath is not broken because the oath implies a specific, customary manner of wearing, and wearing it elsewhere is not customary, similar to placing a cap on the foot.