Likewise, he ﷺ said, “Whoever drinks from a silver vessel is merely gulping into his belly the fire of Hell.” This report is agreed upon by al-Bukhārī and Muslim. The prohibition of a thing encompasses it whether it is wholly of that substance or only partially so; therefore any vessel that is plated, gilt, inlaid, or otherwise furnished with gold or silver is forbidden—except for a small silver clamp used to mend a break, as mentioned earlier. The proof is the ḥadīth of Anas (d. 93 AH): “The Prophet’s ﷺ cup cracked, so he repaired the fracture with a silver chain,” related by al-Bukhārī.

Al-Nawawī (d. 676 AH) said, “There is unanimous agreement on the prohibition of eating and drinking from such vessels, and by consensus every other form of use falls under the same ruling.”

This ban on using or owning them applies equally to men and women, for the texts are general and no qualifier exists. Jewelry, however, is permitted for women because they need it as adornment for their husbands.

Vessels belonging to non-Muslims may be used so long as their impurity is not established. If their impurity is confirmed, the vessels must be washed before use.