Is a minor amount of silver used for mending permissible?
Chapter on Utensils
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
A small amount of silver used for mending is permissible. This is supported by the narration of Anas where the Prophet's (peace be upon him) cup broke, and a silver clasp (*silsila*) was used to mend the crack, narrated by Al-Bukhari. Permissibility is also established because necessity calls for it, and it does not involve extravagance or vanity, thus resembling a clasp made of brass (*sifr*).
Supporting text
Al-Qadi permitted the minor use of silver, both with and without necessity, distinguishing between items actively used where contact with the silver is inevitable (like a ring, which is prohibited) and items not actively used (like a clasp/mending, which is permitted). Abu Al-Khattab restricted the permissibility only to necessity, as the hadith mentioned relates specifically to mending a crack, which constitutes necessity, even if something else could suffice. It is disliked to directly handle the silver part during use to avoid appearing to be utilizing the silver itself.