Fiqh of Tahara-3 Taught by : Hacene Chebbani

Chapter 3: Utensils/Drinking Vessels It is not permissible to use utensils of gold and silver for purification or anything else. Proof: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “ Do not drink from gold and silver utensils, nor eat from its plates, for they are for the disbelievers in this world, and for you in the hereafter” (Bukhari/Muslim) This prohibition is equally applicable to men, women, adults, and children.

Chapter 3-Continued Wearing gold is only prohibited for men, it is allowed for women, and yet using utensils of gold and silver are prohibited for both. Matters of Agreement: 1.It is not permissible to eat or drink in utensils of gold and silver. Why? Because the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) has specifically forbidden this way of using them (Food Containers). 2.It is permissible to use a utensil that is soldered with a very little quantity of silver. Proof: Narrated Anas bin Malik (r) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has fixed one of his utensils (qadahh) with the solder of silver” (Bukhari). The conditions are: 1- It has to be a solder 2- It has to be from silver 3- It has to be very small 4- It has be done out of need.

Chapter 3-Continued Is it makrouh (disliked) to touch it when drinking from this utensil? It is not makrouh, for this is a sharia ruling that needs a proof to be established. Matters of Disagreement: 1.Is it permissible to use gold and silver in other than being food/drink utensils? 1) First Opinion: Yes, it is permissible to own gold and silver utensils and use them in anything else other than to eat and drink in them. It is also permissible to use pens, cell-phones, watches that are made of gold or silver. Proofs: - The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) only forbade us to use them as food containers. (To eat and drink in them).

Chapter 3-Continued -“Umm Salama (r) used to own a Juljul (small bottle) made of silver and she used it to keep some of the hair of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) in it...” (Bukhari). 2) The second opinion: It is not permissible to use them in anything and it is not permissible to use other tools and accessories that are made of gold and silver, except jewellery for women. Proofs: - His saying (pbuh) “ for they are for the disbelievers in this world and they are for you in the Hereafter” (Bukhari/Muslim). - The reason these utensils are forbidden to be used as food containers is that using them might lead to arrogance and self- astonishment. This meaning is also found in other modes of use. - It halal for women to use jewellery because Islam recognizes their need to beautify themselves for their husbands.

Utensils of Non-Muslims and their garments It is permissible to use the utensils of the “People of the Book”, as well as their garments, so long as their contamination with filth is not known. The same ruling applies to the rest of the disbelievers. Since most Christians do not follow the rules of their religion, then utensils can be divided into 4 types: 1.Used without washing/belong to Muslims. 2.Used without washing/belong to Jews and Christians who do not eat swine nor do they eat un-slaughtered meat. 3.Used after washing/belong those Christians/members of other religions who eat swine/dead meat. 4.Used without washing/ belong to those listed above/ not sure if they ever used or not/ they are Tahir (original state)

Utensils of Non-Muslims and their garments Did our Prophet (pbuh) use their utensils? Answer: Yes, at least in three occasions: 1. He accepted the invitation from a young Jewish boy and ate from his barley bread with (Ihalah sankhah) (Ahmed/sahih) 2.He accepted the invitation of a Jewish lady in Khaibar and ate from the barbequed lamb. (Bukhari) 3.He made wudu’ with his companions from a water container (mazadah) that belonged to a pagan lady. (Bukhari/Muslim)

Continued It is however preferred not to use them, if we know that they consume najasaat like pork, dead meat, and wine. Proof: Narrated Tha’labah al-Khushani (r), he said: “ I said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger! We are living in a land inhabited by the “People of the Book”, can we eat from their utensils? He said: “ Do not eat from them unless you can not find utensils other than theirs. Then wash them and eat from them” (Bukhari/Muslim)

Their Garments Garments can be divided into 4 types: 1.Made or worn by Muslims: They are Tahir by consensus. 2.Made by non-believers/never worn by them: They are Tahir by consensus. 3.Outer-garments worn by non-believers: They are Tahir. 4.Under-garments worn by non-believers: The majority of Scholars said that they have to be washed before a Muslim uses them.