Short answer
No, not for decoration. In the Hanafi school henna on a man's hands and feet is makruh tahrimi because it is women's adornment, and that includes the groom's mehndi at weddings. It is allowed as a remedy, for example on cracked heels. On grey hair and the beard, henna is a sunnah for men. The other schools also tell men to avoid it without need.
Applying henna to the hands and feet for adornment is makruh tahrimi for men and boys, as imitation of women. It is permitted for a medical need, and dyeing grey hair and the beard with henna is mustahabb.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Women in the Prophet's ﷺ time coloured their hands with henna, and he encouraged it for them. For men, he cursed those who imitate women. Abu Dawud records that an effeminate man was brought to him with his hands and feet dyed with henna, and he was sent out of the city. The scholars took this, with the general prohibition, to show that henna on a man's hands is a women's adornment. The four schools agree that men should not use it this way without need.
Weddings. In South Asian and Arab weddings the groom is often given mehndi on his hands or fingers. Hanafi muftis say this is not allowed, even as a dot or a single coloured finger, because it is adornment taken from women's custom. The groom can enjoy the gathering without it.
When it is allowed. Henna has long been used as a remedy, for cracked heels, burning feet or some skin problems. A man may use it for treatment, keeping it plain rather than decorative.
Hair and beard. Henna on grey hair and beards is a sunnah for men; see why Muslims dye their beards orange. Henna leaves no layer once the paste is washed off, so wudu and ghusl are valid. For women's henna, see is henna sunnah for women.
The evidence
Sunan Abi Dawud 4928
Grading to be checked... أتي بمخنث قد خضب يديه ورجليه بالحناء ...
"An effeminate man was brought to him who had dyed his hands and feet with henna."
Henna on the hands and feet was treated as a women's adornment.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5885
Sahih... لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المتشبهين من الرجال بالنساء ...
"The Messenger of Allah cursed men who imitate women."
The general rule behind the prohibition.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on adornment. Henna should not be put on the hands and feet of boys and men except for need, while it is allowed for women.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on the siwak and the practices of the fitrah. Nawawi on henna for men's hands and feet without need.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.