What is the ruling on using items coated with gold?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on used items coated with gold, such as a pen or the like?
The Shaykh : There are two matters here that must be distinguished. If the gold plating on an item—such as a pen or a watch, as mentioned in the question—is a very small amount, it is excused, and we cannot say it is forbidden. The other matter is that if this item plated or covered with gold is seen in a person's hand, the observer may assume it is entirely gold, leading to a bad opinion of the user. In that case, based on the principle:Sunan an-Nasa'i 5711Sahih (Darussalam), one should avoid using it, even though it is not forbidden in itself.
The Shaykh : There are two matters here that must be distinguished. If the gold plating on an item—such as a pen or a watch, as mentioned in the question—is a very small amount, it is excused, and we cannot say it is forbidden. The other matter is that if this item plated or covered with gold is seen in a person's hand, the observer may assume it is entirely gold, leading to a bad opinion of the user. In that case, based on the principle:
Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.
دع ما يريبك إلى ما لا يريبك
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.