10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (1)
Utensils that are allowed in eating and drinking
Silver and golden plates are not permitted for eating and drinking and even their use for other types of work is doubtful. But it is better to avoid their use and display for decoration purpose. Any food which is kept in silver and gold is not permissible though this food can be taken out in other types of utensils. There is no reliability about this tradition. One group of Ulema does not perform Wuzu with utensils of silver and gold.
Many Ulema are of the view that the following things should not be made of either gold or silver. Surma bottle, scent case, agar case, chillum, lanterns (which are open on two sides and hung in holy tombs), case of the Quran, cases for the books of prayers and supplications, mirror cases and even walking sticks and pens; but according to Allama Majlisi their non-permissibility is not proved. However, the end of Hukka pipe (Mohnal) should never be made of gold or silver. To eat or drink in all gilded utensils is Makrooh (detestable). If you eat in them, it is better not to let your mouth touch them.
If wine is kept in any utensil of glass or brass, then these utensils can be cleaned by washing them and even raw china which is not porous. But all clay utensils made by potter from ordinary clay need a lot of water to be cleaned once they have been soaked in dirt (wine). The water should be soaked in the clay pot to the extent that the impurity is removed. However, it is better not to use them.
According to a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the person who uses utensils of silver and gold in this world will be kept away from them in heaven.
According to another tradition, Umro Bin Abilmukdam brought a cup of water for Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) which was joined with a silver piece which the Imam (a.s.) let loose with his teeth.
According to another tradition, Imam Reza (a.s.) has prohibited the use of clay pot coming from Egypt.
According to Buzi ibne Umar, he saw Imam Mohammed Taqi (a.s.) having food in a black bowl in the middle of which Sura ‘Qulho Wallah’ was written in yellow colour.
