She was given some vessels on which there is some gold. What should she do with them?

If the vessels are made of gold or plated with gold, it is not permissible to keep or use them for eating or drinking, etc, even if the gold is only on the edges, because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (5633) and Muslim (2067) from Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, for they are for them in this world and for you in the Hereafter.” 

And al-Bukhaari (5634) and Muslim (2065) narrated from Umm Salamah the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever drinks from a vessel of gold or silver is only gulping fire from Hell into his belly.” 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked: What is the ruling on selling men’s watches and glasses if they are plated with real gold, and housewares and bathroom fixtures that are plated with gold, for men and women? 

They replied: If the matter is as described, it is not permissible to sell housewares and bathroom fixtures if they are plated with gold or silver, to either men or women, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, or eat from plates of the same. They are for them in this world and for you in the Hereafter.” Saheeh – agreed upon. And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever drinks from a vessel of gold or silver is only gulping fire from Hell into his belly.” Saheeh – agreed upon; this version was narrated by Muslim. And it is haraam to use them in other ways that have to do with eating and drinking, because of the general meaning of the reason and so as to ward off means that lead to haraam. 

The same applies to watches and glasses that are plated with gold or silver – it is not permissible to sell them to men. May Allaah help us and you to do all that is good. End quote. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (22/156). 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were also asked (22/158): What is the ruling on using cups whose rims are plated with gold? We bought a box of cups and when we opened the box, we found written on it “rims plated with gold”. The part that is plated is a thin line that can hardly be seen, and they were very cheap. 

They replied: 

It is not permissible to use vessels that are made of gold or silver, or vessels that are plated or partially plated with gold or silver, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever drinks from a vessel of gold or silver is only gulping fire from Hell into his belly.” Narrated by Muslim. And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, or eat from plates of the same. They are for them in this world and for you in the Hereafter.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim. That which is plated with gold or silver is included in this, because it is using gold and silver for eating and drinking, and if it is proven that the cups mentioned are plated with gold, it is not permissible to use them. End quote. 

See also question no. 13733 for more information. 

Based on this, it is not permissible for you to keep or use these vessels that were given to you. You may get rid of them in two ways: either return them to the seller, if possible, or remove the gold that is on them even if that is by breaking the vessel, and use the gold to make jewellery or sell it. 

And Allaah knows best.