This, then, is the sounder view and the one closest to the wording of the hadith if it is meant to be general; in that case the restriction to a “very small amount” applies to men only, not to women. Second: Linking the exemption to the amount on which zakat is not due is unsupported by any evidence and should therefore be disregarded. Men must avoid gold altogether—whether much or little—except in cases of necessity, because the relevant hadiths are unrestricted in their wording. Allah knows best. (1) Reported by Ahmad, Musnad, 6:454; Abu Nuaym, Hilyat al-awliya, 2:76; and Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq, 19:198/1. The isnad contains Shahr ibn Hawshab, who is weak, though his reports are recorded; see Majma al-zawaid, 5:149. The narration therefore serves as a fair supporting report for the preceding hadith. Al-Mundhiri, al-Targhib wa’l-tarhib, 1:273, said of a similar report: its isnad is hasan. “Al-jumanah” is a bead made of silver fashioned to resemble a pearl. Additional support comes from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah: a woman asked, “Two bracelets of gold?” He replied, “Two bracelets of fire.” She said, “A necklace of gold?” He said, “A necklace of fire.” She said, “Two earrings of gold?” He said, “Two earrings of fire.” She was in fact wearing two gold bracelets, so she threw them away, saying, “Messenger of Allah, a woman must adorn herself for her husband…,” and the rest of the report is similar.