I had heard that it is not permissible to eat/drink from a bowl/plate/glass that has a broken portion. Is this true? Also, what if the bowl is only slightly chipped on its side? Will it be impermissible to use that?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Hereunder is the hadith referred to in your query:
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (Radiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade from drinking from the broken portion of a bowl and from blowing on the drink.” (Abu Dawud: 2/167 Maktaba Rahmaaniya)
The commentators of the hadith have mentioned a few reasons for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) forbidding drinking from the broken portion of a bowl. Among those reasons are: if a person drinks from the broken side of a bowl/glass, water will leak from the broken part and fall on his body and clothes thereby inconveniencing and troubling him; the broken portion of a bowl/glass cannot be cleaned properly and therefore if someone drinks from it, he will drink dirt and filth. (Bazlul Majhood: 4/341; ‘Aun al-Ma’bood: 10/257)
From the above, one can understand that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) prohibited us from drinking from the broken portion of a bowl/cup out of mercy for us, and to protect us from harm.
Hence, if a person drinks from the unbroken portion of a bowl/glass/mug that is broken or chipped on one side, it will be permissible.
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (Radiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade from drinking from the broken portion of a bowl and from blowing on the drink.” (Abu Dawud: 2/167 Maktaba Rahmaaniya)
The commentators of the hadith have mentioned a few reasons for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) forbidding drinking from the broken portion of a bowl. Among those reasons are: if a person drinks from the broken side of a bowl/glass, water will leak from the broken part and fall on his body and clothes thereby inconveniencing and troubling him; the broken portion of a bowl/glass cannot be cleaned properly and therefore if someone drinks from it, he will drink dirt and filth. (Bazlul Majhood: 4/341; ‘Aun al-Ma’bood: 10/257)
From the above, one can understand that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) prohibited us from drinking from the broken portion of a bowl/cup out of mercy for us, and to protect us from harm.
Hence, if a person drinks from the unbroken portion of a bowl/glass/mug that is broken or chipped on one side, it will be permissible.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faizal Riza
6/12/2011