to eating and drinking. For there is no doubt that one whose eating and drinking vessels are of gold and silver is not like one who uses them for purposes hidden from many people.

His statement, “and that which is reinforced with either of them ... etc.,” applies to both men and women. Thus, it is not permissible for a woman to use vessels of gold or silver.

If it is said: Is it not permissible for a woman to adorn herself with gold?

The answer is: Yes, but it is not permissible for a man.

If it is said: What, then, is the difference between acquiring jewelry and acquiring and using vessels, such that the former is permitted while the latter is not?

The answer is that the difference is that a woman needs adornment, and her adornment is not for her alone, but for herself and her husband; thus, it serves the interest of all. A man has no need for this, for he is one who seeks, not one who is sought, whereas the woman is sought. For this reason, wearing gold jewelry has been permitted for her but not for the man. As for vessels, there is no need to permit them for women, let alone for men.

Purification performed using them is valid, ...................

His statement, “Purification performed using them is valid,” means that purification using vessels of gold and silver is valid. Thus, if a person were to use a gold vessel for his ablution, his purification would be valid, though using it would be unlawful.

Some scholars said that the purification is not valid (1). This is weak, because the prohibition does not relate to the ablution itself; rather, it relates to the use