Is It Permissible to Use Gold-Colored Cutlery?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

I have seen a new trend where people select gold color cutlery for their functions like weddings and other celebrations. Sometimes it is completely gold in color and sometimes it is a mixture of black and gold. It is not real gold. Is it permissible?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him.

The prohibition against using gold and silver cutlery refers to the precious metals and not the colors of gold and silver. That said, I fear that trend such as this may lead to the normalization of the practice and could then easily transition into the prohibited. It may be better to refrain from their usage, but using them remains permissible, and Allah knows best.

Gold and Silver Utensils

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Do not drink in vessels of gold or silver and do not eat in trays of gold or silver. For verily these are for them (i.e., the disbelievers) in this world and for you all (i.e., the believers) in the hereafter.” [Agreed Upon, Bukhari and Muslim).

Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “It is absolutely forbidden to cover utensils with gold according to our School, 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.’ [Tuhfat Al-Muhtaj]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
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Thumbnail picture by Valeria Aksakova