Issue: Is it permissible to eat and drink from silver vessels?

Answer: The texts have stated the prohibition of eating and drinking from silver vessels. Thus, it is not permissible for a person to use a silver spoon with which to eat. This ruling applies equally to women and men with respect to the prohibition of gold and silver.

Issue: Is it permissible to use a pen containing silver?

Answer: There is no harm in this, provided that he does not use it as an article of dress—if we hold that wearing it is prohibited except in the exempted cases.

But if we hold that the basic principle is permissibility, then there is no harm in using a pen whose cap is made of silver, or whose entire case is made of silver, because the basic principle in such matters is permissibility.

A gold sword-pommel, and whatever necessity requires, such as a nose and the like

His statement: “A gold sword-pommel.” That is, it is permissible for a man to have a sword-pommel made of gold. The pommel of a sword is the end of its handle. It is narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that he “placed gold upon the sword-handle” (1). Moreover, it is among the implements of war, and using it in this way enrages the disbelievers. However, gold used in weapons of war must be limited to the small amount reported from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, such as a gold nail and the like.

His statement: “And whatever necessity requires, such as a nose.” That is, whatever necessity requires is permissible, such as a nose when it has been cut off and a person needs to remove the disfigurement. There is then no harm in having a nose made of gold.

If someone were to ask: Why does he not use silver?