Question: I have a large number of household utensils [silverware and dining ware] for use on a daily basis as well as for regularly guests and some others for special occasions. I use these many utensils instead of borrowing them from others or renting them, as sometimes one gets dirty or old utensils that one cannot use in any social setting. I keep my utensils in a cabinet in my home. If my neighbors or relatives ask to borrow them, I give it to hem, trying to help them. During a sisters’ meeting, I heard one of the sisters say that a person is going to be held accountable for everything that he leaves behind, including household utensils. She said that we will be punished by them if we leave them behind and they will be heated and will brand us on the Day of Resurrection. Please assist me, may Allaah assist you. Should I give them away in charity and then borrow from the people for special occasions or should I keep them and pay Zakaah on them or is there no Zakaah on them or what should I do?
Response: There is no harm in what you have mentioned. There is no Zakaah on such household utensils, since they are not for sale but are for need and for lending out. The one who told you that possessing such utensils is not allowed is an ignorant, mistaken person. He1 has said something about Allaah and about Allaah’s religion without knowledge. He must repent from that sin and be careful and avoiding making fatwas without knowledge. Allaah has stated in stern words that such is forbidden. Allaah has stated, “Say: The things that my Lord has forbidden are great evil sins, whether committed openly or secretly, sins [of all kinds], unrighteous oppression, joining partners with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge” (al-A’raaf 33). In a separate verse, Allaah has stated that making statements about Allaah without knowledge is something that Satan orders and requests. This is in Allaah’s words, “O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the Earth, and follow not the footsteps of Satan. Verily, he is to you an open enemy. [Satan] commands only what is evil and sinful, and that you should say about Allaah what you know not” (al-Baqarah 168-169).
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah