If, however, the silver used as an accessory is substantial, there are likewise two opinions concerning it in the schools of al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad, as well as concerning how to distinguish a substantial amount from a small one. The concession allowing a silver ring to be worn or weapons to be adorned with silver permits small amounts of silver in their own right. This, however, concerns clothing and adornment, where things are permitted that are not permitted in the case of vessels, as previously noted.

For this reason, one of the jurists among Ahmad’s followers erred when he attributed to Abū Bakr ‘Abd al-‘Azīz an opinion permitting small amounts of gold as an accessory in vessels. Abū Bakr said this only concerning clothing and adornment, such as an ornamental stripe of gold and the like.

Several opinions are reported from Ahmad concerning small amounts of gold (in matters of clothing). The first permits them without qualification, on the basis of Mu‘āwiyah’s hadith:

“He forbade gold except in small pieces.”

This opinion may be stronger than the others, and it is Abū Bakr’s position.

The second permits them only on weapons.

The third permits them specifically on swords. There is also a view within the school prohibiting them without qualification, on the basis of Asmā’s hadith:

“Gold is not permitted, not even a kharīsah.”

A kharīsah is the size of a locust’s eye. This, however, may be understood as referring to gold used on its own rather than as an accessory. There is no doubt that this