Prohibition of gold and silver vessels

Q: This is a letter we received from Abdul Rahman: F.A. from Riyadh. He says that in these days, the use of gold and silver vessels has spread, especially among the wealthy people; indeed, the matter has reached the point where some of them buy sets of sanitary materials, such as bathroom faucets, prayer beads, water pipes, or all their fittings, made of pure gold. They do not pay zakah on this gold, nor do they look at its value. It is well known that this is prohibited. What is your opinion, Your Eminence, on this? And is it possible to direct the prevention of selling such devices to Muslims who are ignorant of their ruling? May Allah reward you.

A: Vessels of gold and silver are forbidden by explicit text and scholarly consensus. It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: It is agreed upon as authentic from the hadith of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) . It is also established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: It is agreed upon as authentic from the hadith of Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her), and this is the wording of Muslim. Therefore, it is not permissible to take gold and silver as vessels, nor to eat or drink from them, and likewise for ablution and the full ritual bath. All of this is forbidden by the explicit hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). It is obligatory to prevent their sale so that the Muslim does not use them, for Allah has forbidden their use to him. They are not to be used for drinking, eating, or anything else. It is not permissible to make spoons or cups for coffee or tea from them; all of this is prohibited because they are a type of vessel.
Therefore, it is obligatory for the Muslim to be cautious of what Allah has forbidden and to avoid extravagance, waste, and playing with money. If he has abundance of wealth, there are poor people to give charity to, and there are those striving in the path of Allah to give to in the path of Allah. He should give charity and not play with money. Money has a need, and there are those who are in need. It is obligatory for the believer to spend money in its charitable direction, such as comforting the poor and the needy, building mosques and schools, repairing roads, repairing bridges, helping the mujahideen and poor emigrants, and other forms of good, such as paying off the debts of indebted people who are unable to pay, and marrying those who cannot afford to marry. All of these are charitable ways in which spending is prescribed.
As for playing with them in gold and silver vessels, or spoons, or cups made from them, or pipes and the like, all of this is reprehensible and must be abandoned and avoided. It is obligatory for those who have authority in the lands where this practice exists, from among the scholars and rulers, to denounce it and to prevent the extravagant people from this playing. And Allah is the Helper.