Is it permissible to use various types of vessels for purification and consumption?
Chapter on Utensils
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The use and procurement of all types of vessels are permissible, whether they are precious, such as those made of ruby, crystal, agate, brass, or conical glass, or non-precious, such as wood, pottery, and leather. The general scholarly opinion holds that using any of these is not disliked. The evidence supporting permissibility is the tradition narrated from Abdullah ibn Zayd, who stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) brought water in a brass basin (tawr) and performed ablution with it, and this is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh). Additionally, Aishah narrated that she and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) bathed from a basin made of copper (shabah) (Abu Dawud). The fundamental rule is permissibility, which remains established unless proven otherwise.
Supporting text
It is narrated that Ibn Umar disliked performing ablution in vessels made of brass, copper, lead, and similar materials because the water changes within them. Sheikh Abu al-Faraj al-Maqdisi favored this view, citing a narration that angels dislike the smell of copper. Imam Shafi'i, in one of his two opinions, holds that using vessels made from precious materials is forbidden due to the inherent extravagance, arrogance, and potential to break the hearts of the poor, analogous to the prohibition of precious metals.