Advanced search
Visit
8204
Last Updated: 2011/12/07
Summary of question
Why is it forbidden for men and women to use utensils and dishes made of gold?
question
Why is it forbidden for men and women to use utensils and dishes made of gold?
Concise answer

There are secrets and hidden wisdom in the Islamic laws even though we may not be able to discover them. Generally speaking, no law has been enacted without a reason or logic. God, the Wise and All-Knowing, does not command humankind to do an act unless there is a reason or wisdom in it. Therefore, we must abide by every rule or command that has been obtained through the Quran, authentic traditions, reason and decisive knowledge, though we may not know the reason behind it.

Apart from this, it can be said that one of the reasons behind the legislation of Islamic laws is to create a form of economic balance, to eliminate class gap and to provide psychological and spiritual peace and tranquility to the family and society especially the low-income groups.

Detailed Answer

There are secrets and hidden wisdom in the Islamic laws even though we may not be able to discover them. Generally speaking, no law has been enacted without a reason or logic. The Islamic laws and injunctions are subservient to real causes; they are rooted in physical, spiritual, economic and social realities. Basically, the value of a man's deeds depends squarely on the degree of his knowledge, insight and faith. This requires him to conduct a research about the philosophies and rationales of Islamic rules and laws to know what those laws have been created for and where do they lead him to.

When it comes to knowing the secrets and philosophies of Islamic laws, we should not consider the discoveries made by the modern science as sufficient nor should we pass any judgments about divine rules and injunctions on the basis of those scientific achievements. That is because, firstly, the divine laws have been based on man's psychological and physical aspects. Secondly, we must admit that our knowledge of the surrounding world and of complex psychological and spiritual realities is very little.

The Holy Prophet of Islam has been reported as having said, "O people, you are like a patient and the Lord of the Worlds is like a doctor [Who prescribes the healing medicine]."[1]

Obviously, an ailing person who believes in the scientific and technical competence of a doctor, will use every medicine which the doctor prescribes even if he does not know what the biological effects of the colorful medicines are and how they will affect his health. However, since he believes in the doctor's prescription, he acts according to it.

In short, the discussions about the hidden logic behind the laws and the right to discuss about them is one thing and to obey these laws is another. The latter is not conditional to former.

We discuss about religious laws to increase our knowledge about their benefits, importance and different effects. We do not discuss these things to decide whether we should practice these laws or not.

It is like asking the doctor about our treatment, about the medicines prescribed; their effects and benefits etc. so that we can acquire more information about these things. However our taking of medicine is not in any way based on his explanation, otherwise it would be necessary that the person should also be a doctor. In fact, knowing the effects of the medicines is good but it is not a necessary condition for taking the medicine. Hence one should take the medicine even if he does not know the reason. The position is the same with divine laws; man's knowledge is limited and he cannot have access to the philosophy of every rule and injunction.[2]

Therefore, we must abide by every rule or command that has been obtained through the Quran, authentic traditions, reason and decisive knowledge, even though we may not be able to discover its reason and consequences.

Of course, it can be said that one of the reasons behind the prohibition of using gold and silver is to create a form of economic balance and to eliminate class gap and it will help the poor not to feel humiliation. It will cause society to be psychologically, socially and economically at peace and tranquility. It has been stated in a tradition that: "Gold and silver dishes are used by those people who do not believe in God."[3] [4]



[1] - "ایها الناس انتم کالمرضی و ربّ العالمین کالطبیب" Tabarsi, Ahmad bin Ali, Al-Ihtijaj, Beirut, Dar al-Nu'man, vol.1, pg. 45; Mirza Hussein Noori, Mustadrak al-Wasail, Qom, Aalulbayt, 2nd edition, 1408, vol.3, pg. 177.

[2] - See: The Philosophy of Ijtehad and Taqlid by Muhammad Dashti, Qom, Amirul Momeneen Research Institute, 1st edition, pg. 163; Mutahhari, Murteza, Islam and Requirements of Time, Tehran, Sadra Publications, 16th edition, pg. 20; Hadavi Tehrani, Mahdi, Beliefs and Questions, Qom, Khanae Kherad, 2nd edition, pg. 51 – 55.

[3] - Kulayni, Al-Kafi,vol.2, pg. 268, hadith 7, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyah, Tehran 1365 (Islamic solar calendar).

"عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِیَادٍ عَنْ عَلِیِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ بَکْرٍ عَنْ أَبِی الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع قَالَ آنِیَةُ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ مَتَاعُ الَّذِینَ لَا یُوقِنُونَ".

[4] - See index: The philosophy of prohibition of Gold for man, question 759 (site: 799).

Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • What is the veracity of the supplication “Allahumma kun li-waliyyik al-Hujjatibnil Hasan… and how do we know that it is authentic?
    12403 Contextual study 2017/05/22
    This holy supplication has been reported with some variation in different Shia sources including the book of Al-Kafi. It is good to recite this dua for the wellbeing of Imam of Time, may Allah hasten his reappearance. Generally speaking, the different parts of this dua indicate the ...
  • Is it true that every human being has a twin or an associate?
    11775 Contextual study 2015/06/09
    As for whether human beings have twins or not, there are a few narrations. It has been reported that God, the Exalted, told Iblis: I will not give Adam a child except that I will give the like of it to you. Every human being has a ...
  • Was the Prophet of Islam (S) a prophet at birth?
    7536 وحی، نبوت و عصمت 2018/10/22
    The prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (S) can be considered as having two aspects: 1. The first aspect of prophethood is tantamount to prophetic mission and the beginning of a procedure which involved promulgation and propagation of the religion as well as the establishment of the ...
  • Is it possible to see God? If so, then how?
    9594 Traditional 2010/04/08
    According to both Islamic sources and the intellect, God cannot be seen by the physical eye neither in this life nor in the next. However He can be seen through the eyes of the heart. Up to each given individual’s capacity, after purifying their souls, and engaging in prayers and ...
  • What is the Islamic law about pictures ascribed to the Imams (a.s.)?
    9563 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/10/29
    What follows are answers given to the above question by the religious authorities (grand jurists):Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah grant him long life): As per the Islamic law, there is no problem in it by itself provided that it is ...
  • What is the Maqam Ibrahim? What is its purpose?
    41598 Traditional 2010/02/14
    One of the clear signs in Makkah (as a verse in the Quran tells us) is the Maqam Ibrahim where Prophet Ibrahim stood.Regarding the meaning and interpretation of “Maqam Ibrahim”, some believe that it is equal to all of Hajj. Others ...
  • Are the punishments for some sins harsher and greater by many folds than the punishments for some other sins?
    7273 Theoretical 2012/01/04
    It is inferred from the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) that there are different degrees of torments in hell, proportioned to the different degrees of sins on earth. The Quran considers associating partners with God (shirk) as the greatest sin. Also, God warns to punish the sinners ...
  • Why does the verdict of a marja become invalid after his death?
    8184 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2007/04/08
    It must be known that ijtihad has different elements: some are firm (ex. Quran, prophetic traditions, intellect…) and others are changeable (ex. Subjects and their conditions, knowledge and the understanding of the marja himself). A mujtahid must always be aware of the changeable elements. Hence, it ...
  • What is Islam’s ruling on listening to music?
    14879 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/11/21
    Music is essentially sound, and watching it (without listening) has no ruling; the only ruling there is, has to do with producing and the sale of instruments, teaching and learning, playing, and listening to it. Most scholars consider listening to and producing lahwi music to be haram and ...
  • How come although all of us gave an oath in the Alame-Arwah, there are still people who have religions other than Islam?
    30866 Traditional 2009/03/14
    In our religious texts and scriptures, a realm or world by the name of Dharr has been spoken of. There are differences between the scholars regarding what this realm exactly is. Nevertheless, the viewpoint which seems to be the best of all is the one that says Allah ...

Popular