Relations with non-Muslims - Teachings of the Prophet of Mercy(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 Using the vessels and utensils of non-Muslims

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered Muslims to use the utensils of the non-Muslims after washing them.  As mentioned in this Hadith of Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal:

عَنْ أَبِى ثَعْلَبَةَ الْخُشَنِىِّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا بِأَرْضِ أَهْلِ كِتَابٍ أَفَنَطْبُخُ فِى قُدُورِهِمْ وَنَشْرَبُ فِى آنِيَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « إِنْ لَمْ تَجِدُوا غَيْرَهَا فَارْحَضُوهَا بِالْمَاءِ وَاطْبُخُوا فِيهَا

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Tha’alaba Khushani (May Allah be well pleased with him), he asked:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  We live in the area of the People of the Book (i.e. Christians and Jews).  Can we use their utensils for cooking and drink from their vessels?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  If you don’t have other utensils/vessels, wash them thoroughly with water and cook in them.[1] 

Apparently, the utensils of non-Muslims can be used only when other utensils are not available.  That too after washing.  But the Jurists and the interpreters have explained that this is only for those utensils which are used for wine, pork etc.  Because even after washing them there is a feeling of undesirability about those utensils.  For this, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: When you don’t have utensils, then wash the utensils of the non-Muslims and use them.  However, use of other utensils of non-Muslims is permitted even when other utensils are available.  Accordingly, there is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

عَنْ أَبِى ثَعْلَبَةَ الْخُشَنِىِّ قَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- عَنْ قُدُورِ الْمَجُوسِ فَقَالَ « أَنْقُوهَا غَسْلاً وَاطْبُخُوا فِيهَا

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Tha’alaba Khushani (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about using the vessels of the Zoroastrians and He said:  Clean them by washing and cook in them.[2] 

These Hadith show that invitations of non-Muslims can be accepted and one can eat and drink from their vessels.