Thursday 18 Ramadan 1445 - 28 March 2024
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Can Muslims Use Vessels of Gold and Silver?

Question

A questioner is saying that nowadays the use of gold and silver vessels has become widespread, especially among people who are well off. The matter has gone so far that some of them even buy sets of sanitary equipment such as bathroom taps and fixtures all made of pure gold, and they do not pay zakah on this gold or pay any attention to its value. It is known that this is forbidden. What is your view on that? Is it possible to forbid the sale of such things to Muslims who are unaware of the ruling? May Allah bless you.

Summary of answer

It is not permissible for Muslims to use gold and silver as vessels, whether for eating or drinking. The same applies to things used for Wudu and Ghusl.

Praise be to Allah.

Using vessels of gold and silver in Islam

Vessels of gold and silver are forbidden according to the texts of Islam and according to scholarly consensus. 

It was proven that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver; do not eat from plates of gold and silver , because they are for them [the disbelievers] in this world and for you in the Hereafter.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him))

And it was proven that he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever eats and drinks from vessels of gold and silver, is taking fire from Hell into his belly.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him); this version was narrated by Muslim)

It is not permissible to use gold and silver as vessels , whether for eating or drinking. The same applies to things used for Wudu and Ghusl. All of that is prohibited according to the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). 

These things should not be sold so that Muslims will not use them. Allah has forbidden us to use them so they should not be used for drinking, eating or any other purpose. It is not permissible to use them in spoons, coffee cups or teacups; all of that is forbidden, because these are kinds of vessels. 

So the Muslim should avoid that which Allah has forbidden and keep away from extravagance and wasting wealth. If he has ample wealth then there are poor people to whom he can give charity; there are Mujahidin fighting for the sake of Allah to whom he can donate. He should give in charity, not fool about with his wealth. There are those who need his wealth.  

How to dispose of vessels of gold and silver

So the believer must dispose of his wealth in charitable ways , such as giving to the poor and needy, in building and maintaining mosques and schools, repairing roads and bridges, helping the Mujahidin and poor migrants, and other ways, such as paying off the debts of those who are in dire straits, and helping those who cannot afford to get married to do so. These are all good things on which we are encouraged to spend. 

As for wasting wealth by buying vessels, spoons, cups or bathroom fixtures of gold and silver, and the like, all of that is reprehensible and we should avoid that and warn others against it. Whoever has any position of status in countries where such things are done, such as scholars and rulers, should denounce that and prevent the extravagant from indulging in such things. And Allah is the One Whose help we seek. 

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah, 6/378