54 – Book of Prohibitions and Permissions

It is unlawful for men to wear silk, whereas it is lawful for women. Abu Ḥanīfah holds that there is no objection to using silk as a pillow, while Abū Yūsuf and Muḥammad consider that disliked.

According to the latter two, wearing brocade in battle is permissible, but Abū Ḥanīfah regards it as reprehensible. Likewise, it is permitted to wear a mixed fabric (mulḥam) whose warp is silk and whose weft is cotton or khazz.

Men may not adorn themselves with gold or silver except for a ring, a belt, or silver fittings on a sword. Women, however, may adorn themselves with gold and silver, though it is discouraged for a boy to wear gold or silk.

For both men and women it is forbidden to eat, drink, apply oil, or perfume themselves using vessels made of gold or silver. There is no harm in using vessels of glass, crystal, or agate.

Abū Ḥanīfah permits drinking from a silver-plated cup, riding a silver-plated saddle, and sitting on a silver-plated couch.

It is reprehensible to levy the tenth (ʿushr) on copies of the Qur’an or on naphtha.

There is no objection to gilding a muṣḥaf or decorating and ornamenting a mosque with gold leaf. Employing eunuchs is disliked.

There is no harm in castrating livestock or in using donkeys to service date-palms. The statement of a child or a slave is accepted with regard to a gift or permission, and the statement of an openly sinful person is accepted in commercial dealings.