PART 1 – AMULETS
1. The Ruling on Quranic Amulets and Incantations
Question:
Can a Muslim wear an amulet or incantation with Qur‘anic verses written on it?
Answer:
Hanging written Quranic verses for protection or treatment purposes has been judged differently by the Salaf. There is a ruling that bans it as belonging to amulets in general, which are banned by the Hadith, “Ruqyas, amulets and love charms are acts of shirk.’’ (Sunan Abu-Dawood, Kitab At Tib (Book of Medicine), Hadith No. 3883.) Ahmad and Abu-Dawood argue that there is no exception to the general ban even if the amulet is from the Qur‘an. A license to hang Quranic amulets will lead to hanging non-Qur‘anic ones, so the general ban prevents Shirk ones. Besides, it will likely expose Qur‘anic verses to degrading situations. The general ban is advocated by Ibn-Mas‘ud and his students as well as the Muta‘ akhkhirun.
However, there is a ruling that allows hanging amulets with writings from the Qur‘an or Allah‘s Names and Attributes. Abdullah Ibn-Amr Ibn-il-Aas is of this view. Abu-Ja‘far AlBaqir and Abmad explain this position on a different understanding of the Hadith banning amulets; they restrict the ban to Shirk Ruqyas and Shirk amulets.
We favour the general ban, which is stronger, as it safeguards pure faith and has preventative implications. As for what has been attributed to Ibn-Amr, it was in connection with writing slates hung around kids‘ necks for learning the Qur‘an, not as amulets for protection purposes.
May Allah‘s prayers and peace be upon His Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,his kin and his Companions. (Fatwa of the Ifta’ Permanent Committee, pp. 204-205.)
2. Hanging Written Ayahs and Other Writings on Newborns
Question:
What is the ruling on making amulets with Qur‘anic verses and Allah‘s names and selling them to people telling them: this will protect you? When a baby is born or falls ill, they hang an amulet around its neck. In our country, in Africa and in some Arab countries amulets are given to students, who are told: this will make you intelligent and wise.
Answer:
On the one hand, it is forbidden to write anything that is not from the Qur‘an or from Allah‘s names on something to be hung on the sick, be they people or animals, for the sake of healing or protection from diseases, enemy conniving, evil eye effects or envy. Also, students must not wear it for the sake of becoming intelligent or better learners. The Prophet said, Whoever hangs an amulet has committed an act of Shirk. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 4/156.) Amulets must not be bought or worn. The money paid for such amulets is unlawful. The authorities have to ban such practice, discipline those involved, buyers as well as sellers, and point out the prohibition of amulets so that people can follow what is right and shun what is forbidden.
On the other hand, writing Quranic verses, Allah‘s names and legally established prayers and supplications is allowed by some Salaf Ulama, but banned by others. We favour the ban on the basis of the Hadiths that ban all amulets; it prevents wearing Shirk ones and saves Allah‘s Holy Book and Names from being exposed to degrading conditions.
May Allah‘s prayers and peace be upon His Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,his kin and his companions. (Fatawa of the Ifta’ Permanent Committee, pp. 207-208.)
3. Hanging Quranic Writings on House Walls
Question:
A patient went to some Faqeeh (a learned man with religious knowledge) who wrote on a piece of paper only Quranic verses. He gave the paper to the patient and told him to hammer a nail on each word written on it, and then to hide for ten to fifteen days.
Is it allowed to hang that paper? Is it an act of Shirk? Is this an amulet?
Answer:
No, this is not allowed, for it is an amulet which the Prophet banned in the Hadith, “If one wears an amulet, may Allah not grant him his wish, and if he wears a shell may Allah not grant him peace.’’ (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 4/154.) In another Hadith, “Whoever wears an amulet has committed an act of Kufr.’’ (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 4/156.)
Success is granted only by Allah; may his prayers and peace be upon his Prophet, his kin, and his companions. (Fatawa of the Ifta’ Permanent Committee, pp. 210-211.)
4. Wearing Incantations With Prayers and Qur’anic Writings as well as Invocations of Pious People
Question:
Is a patient allowed to wear an incantation on which Quranic verses and some of the Prophet‘s prayers are written, but with invocations of his Companions and righteous people together with incomprehensible writings, not in Arabic, and drawings of some stars?
Is it allowed to wear an incantation with the names of the Prophet to prevent harm and bring about good?
Mind you, our mother visits those who tell her she has been bewitched, and so is everyone in the house, but we do not believe or obey her in this matter. However, she may be putting medications into our food and drinks, and she may be putting such incantations in our clothes or beds without our knowledge. When we discovered she had incantations in our names, we condemned such an act, but she did not listen.
Answer:
Firstly, such things must not be worn or put into clothes, beds or houses for the sake of bringing about gains or preventing harm. They are incantations representing Shirk as the Prophet says, Ruqyas, amulets and love charms are acts of Shirk. (Op. Cit.)
He also says, “Whoever wears an amulet has committed an act of Shirk.’’ (Op. Cit.)
Secondly, it is good of you to advise your mother and to object to her putting the incantations in your clothes and beds and to visiting sorcerers and soothsayers. You must continue advising and teaching her while condemning her reprehensible acts without offending her, asking Allah to guide her to repent of doing them. This way, you will have done your best, and you are not responsible for her acts that you know of, or for what you do not.
May Allah grant you success, and may His prayers and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,his kin and his Companions. (Fatawa of the Ifta’ Permanent Committee, pp. 209-209.)
5. Carrying AI-Hissn Al-Hasseen and Hirz Al-Gushin
Question:
What is the legality of Ruqyas and amulets if they are from the Qur‘an?
Is one allowed to carry with him such books as Al-Hisn, Al-Hasseen, Hirz Al-Gushin or Assabah’ Al-Uqud Al Sulaimaniyah for protection from the evil eye and envy? They are said to contain only Quranic verses, such as Al-Falaq and Annas Suras and the Kursi Ayah. They are also said to be good for guarding against the evil eye and envy. Is it sufficient to read these books without having to carry them?
Answer:
Ruqyas using the Qur‘an and established supplications are allowed, and so are all Ruqyas that are void of Shirk and of forbidden elements.
As for the books mentioned, they cannot be used as amulets to carry.
Recitation of Al-Kursi Ayah when going to bed is beneficial, and so is that of Al-Ikhlaas, Al-Falaq and Annas Suras.
May Allah grant you success, and may His prayers and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,his kin and his companions. (Ifta’ Permanent Committee, Fatwas on Treatment Using the Qur’an and the Sunnah, Ruqyas and Related Issues, by Ibn-Baz and Ibn-Uthaimeen, p.94.)
6. Putting a Piece of Cloth or Leather Around a Newly Born Baby’s Tummy
Question:
Is it allowed to put a piece of cloth or leather or some other material around a baby‘s tummy? In fact, we, in the south, do that with young children as well as older ones.
Answer:
If by doing that is meant bringing about gains or protection from harm, as in the case of amulets, it is forbidden. In fact, it is Shirk. However, if it is meant to hold the child‘s belly button in place, or to support its back, there is nothing wrong with that at all.
May Allah‘s prayers and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,his kin and his Companions. (Ifta’ Permanent Committee, Faiwas on Treatment Using the Qur‘an and the Sunnah, Ruqyas and Related Issues, by Ibn-Baz and Ibn-Uthaimeen, p.93.)
7. Those Writing Quranic Amulets
Question:
The teacher who taught me how to recite the Qur‘an and a great grandfather on my mother‘s side used to write Quranic Ayahs and prayers and give them to people. However, they ordered me to commit myself to the recitation of the Qur‘an, which I did. Having been blessed with knowledge of Allah‘s oneness, I now realize they were doing something wrong.
Now that they are dead, is it allowed to pray for them so that Allah may forgive them for what they did?
May Allah‘s peace and blessings be upon you.
Answer:
Writing Quranic verses to be hung as amulets is not allowed, neither is hanging amulets to bring about healing or protection or to prevent harm. However, you can pray to Allah to forgive and have mercy on your great grandfather and your teacher in spite of what they did, as it does not amount to Shirk. Should you be aware that they did any Kufr or Shirk acts, such as invocation of the dead or Jinn to seek their assistance, you must not pray for them. May Allah‘s prayers and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,his kin and his Companions. (Ifta’ Permanent Committee, Islamic Research Journal, Issue 26, pp.99-100.)
By Khaled al-Jeraisy
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