Can Muslim women wear anklets?

Jewellery is allowed for women

Islam allows women to wear jewellery made of gold, silver and other materials. The Prophet ﷺ said that silk and gold are forbidden for the men of his community and allowed for its women (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1720). An anklet is simply jewellery worn on the leg, so the same basic permission applies. See Can Muslim women wear earrings and necklaces?

The verse about ankle jewellery

Interestingly, the Quran itself talks about it. In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, women wore anklets, and some would stamp their feet so men heard them:

Scholars draw two points from this: wearing anklets was normal and wasn't forbidden, but using them to attract men's attention is.

Keep them covered in public

An anklet is "hidden adornment", like a necklace under a scarf. In front of unrelated men, most scholars say the legs should be covered, and many also include the feet. So wear anklets under long skirts, wide trousers or socks when you go out. At home, with your husband, family and other women, you can show them freely. See Do I have to cover my feet as a Muslim woman?

What about bells?

Many anklets in Western shops and South Asian styles (payal) come with little bells. Scholars generally dislike bells on jewellery:

• The Prophet ﷺ said the angels don't accompany a group of travellers that has a bell with them (Sahih Muslim 2113).
• A ringing anklet in public does exactly what the verse warns against.

A simple chain without bells avoids both concerns. Some scholars allow a bell anklet at home for a husband, since the concern about strangers doesn't apply, but a quiet one is the safer choice.

A note on gold and zakat

If your anklets are gold or silver, scholars differ on whether jewellery you wear needs zakat. See Do I pay zakat on gold jewelry I wear?