Wearing a Watch

How to wear a watch according to Islamic teaching?

In the name of Allah, peace and prayer of Allan be upon His messenger, amma ba’du,

Which is the more appropriate according to sunnah, to wear a watch on the right hand, or on the left hand?

Below is the answer provided by Dr. Sa’d al Khatslan – member of the Council of Grand Scholars of Saudi Arabia –

الذي يظهر أن الساعة كالخاتم فقد يلبس للتزين وقد يلبس للانتفاع به في أمور أخرى ، وقد صح عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه تختم في اليد اليمنى وفي اليد اليسرى ، وقد اختلف العلماء في التوفيق بينها

From what we inferred is that a watch is like ring, which is sometimes worn as adornment or because of certain benefit. And there is a sound hadith from the Prophet –peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- which says that sometimes the Prophet wore his ring on his right hand, and sometimes on the left. The scholars’ opinion in drawing a conclusion from the difference of this narration is divided.

وأحسن ماقيل في ذلك ماذكره الحافظ ابن حجر حيث قال : (ويظهر لي أن ذلك يختلف باختلاف القصد، فإن كان اللبس للتزين به فاليمين أفضل، وإن كان للتختم به فاليسار أولى لأنه كالمودع فيها، ويحصل تناوله منها باليمين وكذا وضعه فيها ( فتح الباري 10/327)

The best explanation is what provided by al Hafidz Ibn Hajar in “Fath al Bari”, in which he said,
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