Should a ring be worn by men?

It is best for other than those who need to use a ring for stamping not to wear a ring. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is understood, according to the Hanafi ijtihad, to have worn a ring for stamping, not adornment. As such, it is only a sunna for those who have this need.

Allama Tumurtashi mentions the following statement inTanwir-al-Absar:

It is preferable for other than the ruler (sultan) and justice (qadhi) and who is in need of it e.g. governor, to leave wearing a ring.

Allama Ibn Abidin commenting on the statement writes,

“This indicates that it is only sunna for him who needs a ring. The author of Tatarkhaniya records fromAl-Bustan that, ‘Some scholars say it is makruh for a person other than a leader to wear a ring, whereas a majority of scholars say it is permissible.’

It has been narrated on the authority of Yunus ibn Ishaq that he said, I saw Qais ibn Hazim, Abdur Rahman ibn Al-Aswad and Al-Sha`bi wearing rings on their left hands and they were not people of authority.”

Allama Ibn Abidin concludes that permissibility is chosen, as is the opinion of the majority of scholars. It does not negate that leaving the ring is preferable for other than the sultan (ruler or one who has authority).

(Ibn Abidin Radd-al-Muhtar V.6 pg 361)