Chapter 116 - Permissibility of drinking water from clean Vessels of all types except Gold and Silver ones

Anas bin Malik reported: Once the time for As-Salat (the prayer) approached. Those whose houses were near, went to their houses to perform Wudu' while some of the people remained with The Messenger of Allah . A stone (containing some water) bowl was brought for him. It was too small for him to spread his hand over it. He performed his Wudu' and it (the water) sufficed for all the others also. Anas was asked: "How many of you were present there?''   He said: "Eighty or more.''  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].


Another narration in Muslim is: The Prophet called for a vessel containing water. A wide shallow vessel with a little water in it was brought for him. He put his fingers in it. Anas  says: "I kept looking at the water pouring from between his fingers. I estimated that the number of people who made their Wudu' with it was from seventy to eighty.''


Commentary: This Hadith mentions a miracle of The Messenger of Allah and also provides for the use of a stoneware

Abdullah bin Zaid reported: The Prophet visited us and we brought water for him in a brass vessel for his ablution and he performed ablution. [Al-Bukhari].


Commentary: This Hadith tells us that brassware can be used for performing ablution as well as for other purposes.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah visited the house of a man of the Ansar with one of his Companions and said to him,

"If you have some water in the water-skin left over from last night, give it to us for drinking; otherwise, we shall drink from some stream directly.'' [Al-Bukhari].


Commentary: With reference to this Hadith, Imam An-Nawawi says that apart from drinking water from a vessel, one can also drink at a cistern or stream.

Hudhaifah reported: The Prophet prohibited us from wearing brocade or silk and drinking out of gold or silver vessels and said,

"These are meant for them (disbelievers) in this world and for you in the Hereafter.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].


Commentary: Silk clothes are forbidden to men but allowed to women. Yet, both sexes are forbidden to use utensils made of silver and gold. However, the orthodox `Ulama' say that women can use ornaments of silver and gold and that, it is advisable not to use them because many vices stem from their use and display.

Umm Salamah reported: The Messenger of Allah said,

 "He who drinks from the vessel of silver kindles the Fire (of Hell) in his belly.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].


A narration in Muslim is: The Messenger of Allah said, "Surely, he who eats or drinks in gold and silver vessels fills his belly with Hell-fire.''


Commentary: To use utensils of silver and gold involves extravagance. Moreover, it is a sign of pride and ostentatious lifestyle. Allah detests them both. On this count they are major sins, involving the danger of severe chastisement in Hell-fire.