He who eats or drinks in the vessel of silver and gold, - but there is no mention in any one of the other chains of the words pertaining to eating and gold.
The Book of Clothes and Adornment - Sahih Muslim 2065 b
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.
This narration from Sahih Muslim addresses the prohibition of using vessels made from gold and silver for eating and drinking. The scholars of Islam have unanimously agreed upon the prohibition of using such vessels based on numerous authentic narrations from the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prohibition and Its Wisdom
The prohibition encompasses both gold and silver vessels, whether for eating, drinking, or other uses that involve direct contact with the body. This ruling applies to men and women alike, though women are permitted to wear silver and gold as adornment.
The wisdom behind this prohibition includes: preventing extravagance and ostentation, avoiding resemblance to non-Muslim nations who used such vessels as symbols of status, and cultivating humility and moderation in the Muslim community. It also protects against the spiritual disease of pride and arrogance.
Scholarly Consensus and Exceptions
Imam Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, states that the prohibition is definitive (qat'i) and there is consensus among scholars on this matter. The prohibition extends to vessels plated with gold or silver if the plating is substantial.
Exceptions include medical necessity where no alternative exists, and the permissibility for women to use gold and silver jewelry. Some scholars also permitted the use of silver in weapon decoration and medical instruments when necessary.
Textual Variations and Their Implications
The variation in chains of transmission mentioned in the query does not affect the core ruling. While some narrations specifically mention "eating and drinking" while others mention "drinking" only, the scholars have applied the prohibition to all uses involving consumption or direct bodily contact.
This demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic legal methodology, where scholars derive rulings from multiple authentic sources and apply the principles of prevention to ensure complete compliance with the Prophetic guidance.