Misconception: Gold and silver are banned for Muslims

Background: It is commonly thought that Muslims are forbidden from owning gold, or wearing gold and silver or silk, especially Muslim men.

The following verse from The Quran makes it clear that enjoyment of gold and silver are allowed:

Alluring unto man is the enjoyment of worldly desires through women, and children, and heaps of gold and silver, and horses of high mark, and cattle, and lands. All this may be enjoyed in the life of this world - but the most beauteous of all goals is with God. [3:14]

Wearing of adornments/jewels is mentioned in the following verses [7:26, 16:14, 35:12], however there are no specific examples of wearing gold/silver in this life, only in the descriptions of heaven [18:31, 22:23, 35:33, 76:21].

The ban on men wearing silk is not found in The Quran. According to The Quran it is important not to forbid things unless specifically forbidden by God:

Say: “Who has forbidden the nice things that God has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions?” Say: “They are meant for those who believe during this worldly life, and they will be exclusive for them on the Day of Resurrection.” It is such that We explain the revelations for those who know. [7:32]

You shall not invent lies about God by attributing lies with your tongues, saying: "This is lawful and that is forbidden." Those who invent lies about God will not succeed. [16:116]

READ - click to look up verse references