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What is the ruling on metal vessels that are made of stainless steel which looks like silver but is not silver?
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
The vessels that are haram are vessels made of gold or silver only.
That is because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (5426) and Muslim (2067) from Hudhayfah, according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not drink from vessels of gold or silver, and do not eat from plates made of the same. They are for them in this world and for us in the hereafter.”
It was narrated from Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The one who drinks from a vessel of silver is gulping the fire of Hell into his belly.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5634) and Muslim (2065).
According to Muslim (2065): “Whoever drinks from a vessel of gold or silver is only gulping fire from Hell into his belly.”
These hadiths clearly indicate that it is haram to eat or drink from vessels of gold or silver, such as spoons, plates, cups and the like. This ruling applies equally to both men and women.
An-Nawawi said: The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is prohibited to eat or drink from vessels of gold and vessels of silver, for both men and women."(Sharh Saheeh Muslim 14/29).
please see the answer to question no. 13733 .
Secondly:
With regard to all other kinds of vessels, they are permissible, whether they are made of wood, iron, copper, steel, porcelain, glass or anything else.
This ruling also applies to vessels made of precious metals and other things.
The fact that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) specifically prohibited gold and silver implies that other things are permissible.
Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisi said: With regard to all other kinds of vessels, it is permissible to keep them and use them, whether they are valuable, such as rubies, crystal, garnet, sapphires or blown glass, or they are non-precious, such as wood, earthenware and leather.
It is not disliked (makrooh) to use any of them, according to the majority of scholars…
And it is not valid to compare them to gold and silver for two reasons:
1.. They are only known to the elite of the people, and poor people will not recognize them so that will not sadden the poor people, unlike gold and silver.
2.. Because these other precious materials are rare, vessels are not made from them except in very rare cases, so the fact that they are permissible will not lead to it becoming common for people to keep them and use them."(Al-Mughni 1/105).
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
It is permissible to keep and use all other kinds of vessels that are pure, whether they are valuable, such as rubies, glass and carnelian, or they are not valuable. … The prohibition applies only to the two precious metals [gold and silver], not to things that resemble them.
That is because these precious materials are only known to the elite of the people, and people do not usually use them for vessels, so that will not lead to extravagance or pride or arrogance. Even if that happened, then what is prohibited would be that pride and arrogance, just as if it happened as a result of permissible actions or acts of worship and obedience."(Sharh ‘Umdat al-Fiqh 1/118).
The fact that the vessels resemble gold or silver in colour is not a reason to deem them prohibited, so long as neither of them is included in the materials of which the vessels are manufactured, and remains visible with its characteristics in the vessel, in such a way that gold or silver is regarded as a visible component of it.
And Allah knows best.