In another narration collected by Muslim: “Whoever drinks from a vessel of gold or silver is only gulping into his belly a blaze from Hellfire.”

[Commentary]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—dedicated this chapter to clarify the ruling on vessels and their use for drinking, in order to draw attention to a useful principle: the default status of everything Allah has created on earth is permissibility. Its basic ruling is that it is lawful unless evidence proves otherwise. The proof is Allah’s statement: “He is the One who created for you all that is on the earth” ⦗Q 2:29⦘. Hence, whatever is on earth—animals, trees, stones, everything—is lawful for us; Allah has permitted it except where proof indicates prohibition.

In light of this magnificent principle set out by Allah in His Book, anyone who claims that something is haram must furnish evidence. If someone says, for instance, “This animal is haram,” we reply, “Bring your proof; otherwise, the default is that it is halal.” If he says, “This vessel is haram,” we say, “Present your proof; otherwise, the default is that it is halal.” If he says, “This tree is haram,” we answer, “Produce your proof; otherwise, the default is that it is halal,” for the one who says it is lawful has firm backing from Allah’s word: “He is the One who created for you all that is on the earth.” The Exalted also said