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Fatwa CenterThe use of gold and silver plated items
Question
As far as I know, Islam has prohibited the use of gold and silver utensils, and of pure silk spreads in the Muslim house. Islam forbade us to drink or eat from gold or silver dishes or to wear silken garments or to sit on silken cloth. Islam also forbade men to use golden pen, golden watches, gold cigarette cases and lighters, golden cutlery. Does this include silver or golden paint on cars? How about using stainless utensils instead of silver?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The jurists
differed in opinion regarding the ruling of gold-plated or silver-plated utensils and the like. The most preponderant opinion, is that they are not permissible unless the plating is very slight to an extent that if it is exposed to fire, nothing will remain of it. As the ruling is such in relation to plated items, if a car is exposed to fire and its gold remains, then this use of gold is also forbidden. The gold that is used for that purpose is only a waste of money and this is the reason it is forbidden to use silver-plated or gold-plated utensils. These details are in relation to using items which have been plated or covered with gold. It is forbidden to cover the items with gold in principle even if nothing remains of it after being exposed to the fire. Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami
said: 'It is absolutely forbidden to cover utensils with gold according to our school [Shaafi'ee], and if utensils have gold and after being exposed to fire, the gold still remains, then it is forbidden to keep the gold from such items or wear it. But if after being exposed to fire, nothing remains of it (gold) on these items then it is not forbidden to use them or wear them.'
As regards using stainless utensils, this is permissible whether or not they become rusty.
Allaah knows best.
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