Different people use different kinds of utensils made of steel, plastic and baked clay; however earthen utensils bring their own advantages. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is narrated to have also used earthen utensils. Sayyiduna Khabbaab رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُ said, ‘I saw the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم drinking water from a strong earthen vessel.’ (Ma’rifat-is-Sahabah, vol. 2, pp. 174, Raqm 2371)
Imam of Ahl-us-Sunnah, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه stated, ‘Eating and drinking by using the utensils made of copper [and] brass metals by the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is not proved. The utensils that were in use were made of wood or baked clay, and waterskins were in use for water. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 129)
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه further stated: Eating and drinking by using earthen utensils is closer to humility. It is a greater [practice] to have earthen utensils as neither is there extravagance nor showing off in it. It is stated in a blessed Hadees, ‘The one who keeps earthen utensils at his house, angels behold it [his house].’ (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 336)
Sayyiduna Shaykh Abu Talib Makki رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه (passed away in 386 AH) stated, ‘The pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ اللّٰە would not like to keep other utensils other than earthen utensils.’
Sayyiduna Sari Saqati رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه said to Sayyiduna Junaid Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه, ‘Try to use the utensils at your home which are [made] of your body, i.e., earth.’ (Qoot-ul-Quloob, vol. 1, pp. 288)
Apart from using earthen utensils for eating and drinking, they can also be used for other pieces of work for earning reward. It is stated in Fatawa Shaami that it is Mustahab (preferable act) to perform Wudu from earthen utensils. (Rad-dul-Muhtar, vol. 1, pp. 268)
Worldly benefits
Along with religious advantages, one can also gain worldly benefits by using earthen utensils, For example, the food cooked in the earthen utensils lasts its usefulness longer as compared to the steel and other metals. According to the experts, the utensils made of non-stick, copper, brass and steel metals are harmful to health. (Risalah Madani In’amaat, pp. 27)
Drinking water preserved in the earthen vessel or a large earthen jar protects one from breathing problem, throat illnesses, cough and indigestion.
O devotees of the Prophet! How good it would be if we also use earthen utensils for earning rewards and with other good intentions. Shaykh-e-Tareeqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat دَامَتْ بَرَكَاتُـهُمُ الْعَالِيَـه has also been using earthen utensils for years. He دَامَتْ بَرَكَاتُـهُمُ الْعَالِيَـه said, ‘I do not feel like eating from the commonly used plates; nevertheless, it is not said that using earthen utensils is an act of Sunnah because there is no clear narration about it.’
Method 11 out of the ‘Methods of Becoming Pious’ also motivates us to use earthen utensils.
Mayn mitti kay saadah say bertan mayn khaoon
Chatayi ka ho bistara Ya Ilahi
(Wasail-e-Bakhshish, pp. 330)
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