Islamic Rulings on Utensils, Hides, and Non-Muslim Goods

✍ Taken from: Fiqhi Ahkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 26

❖ Definition of Utensils and Their Basic Ruling​

The term utensils (Āniyah) here refers to containers used for food, drink, or storage, whether made of:

• Iron
• Wood
• Leather
• Other metals

The basic ruling regarding all such vessels is that their use is permissible, provided they are clean and pure.

✖ Prohibited Utensils​

There are certain exceptions where the use of specific utensils becomes prohibited in Islam:

Utensils Made of Gold or Silver​

It is haram (forbidden) to use utensils made of:

• Pure gold or silver
• Those coated or plated with gold or silver
• Even utensils with partial mixture or decoration of these metals

However, there is one exception:


✔ If a broken vessel is repaired with a silver clip, it is permissible.

❖ The Prophet ﷺ Forbade Gold and Silver Utensils​

"لَا تَشْرَبُوا فِي آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي صِحَافِهِمَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا، وَلَكُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ"

“Do not drink in gold and silver vessels, and do not eat in their plates. For indeed, these are for them (the disbelievers) in this world, and for you in the Hereafter.”

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Aṭʿimah – Ḥadīth 5426
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Libās wa’l-Zīnah – Ḥadīth 2067

❖ Severe Warning for Using Silver Utensils​

"الَّذِي يَشْرَبُ فِي إِنَاءِ الْفِضَّةِ إِنَّمَا يُجَرْجِرُ فِي بَطْنِهِ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ"

“Whoever drinks from a silver vessel is only gulping down the fire of Hell into his stomach.”

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Ashribah – Ḥadīth 5634
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Ḥadīth 2065 (wording from Muslim)

❖ Exception: Repairing with Silver​

"أَنَّ قَدَحَ النَّبِيِّ – ﷺ – اِنْكَسَرَ، فَاتَّخَذَ مَكَانَ الشَّعْبِ سِلْسِلَةً مِنْ فِضَّةٍ"

“A cup of the Prophet ﷺ broke, so he repaired the crack by placing a silver clip at the broken part.”

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Khumus – Ḥadīth 3109

❖ Imam Nawawī’s Ruling​

"Eating or drinking from gold or silver utensils or using them in any form is unanimously haram."
Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim by Imam Nawawī, 14/41

❖ The Ruling Applies Equally to Men and Women​

This prohibition applies to both men and women.
However, women may wear gold and silver as jewelry, but they may not use them as utensils.

❖ Ruling on the Utensils of Disbelievers​

✔ It is permissible to use utensils owned by non-Muslims, provided:

• They are clean
• If impurity is suspected, they should be washed before use

❖ Ruling on the Leather of Dead Animals (Maytah)​

It is haram to use the hide of a dead animal (not slaughtered Islamically) without tanning.


But if the hide is tanned (dubbāgh), then its use becomes permissible — this is the view of the majority of scholars.

❖ The Prophet ﷺ on Tanning of Hides​

"يُطَهِّرُهَا الْمَاءُ وَالْقَرَظُ"
“Water and qaraz (a tanning agent like Acacia) purify it.”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd – Kitāb al-Libās – Ḥadīth 4125
Sunan al-Nasāʾī – Kitāb al-Ghīrah – Ḥadīth 4253


And:


"دِبَاغُ الأَدِيمِ طُهُورُهُ"
“The tanning of a hide is its purification.”

Musnad Aḥmad 3/476
Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4125
al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr by al-Ṭabarānī – Ḥadīth 6341 (wording from Ṭabarānī)

❖ Using Clothes or Items Made by Disbelievers​

It is permissible to use garments or textiles made by non-Muslims, if:

• There is no apparent impurity (najāsah) on them

Supporting Principles:​

① The default ruling for all things is purity.
② Doubt does not change the ruling.
③ The Prophet ﷺ and the Companions used clothing made by disbelievers.

Conclusion​

• All utensils made from clean material are permissible by default.
• Gold and silver utensils are strictly haram, with severe warnings.
• Tanning purifies the hide of dead animals for use.
• Items from non-Muslims can be used if pure, as supported by Prophetic practice.

وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Allah knows best what is correct.