Ta’wiz in Islam: Ruling on Amulets & Quranic Verses New

Islamic Ruling on Ta’wiz (Amulets): Are Quranic Amulets Permissible?

Question: What is the ruling on hanging amulets (Ta’wiz) etc.? Some scholars say that Quranic amulets are permissible? Also, is it permissible to hang Quranic verses etc. in a shop/house or car for blessings or protection?

Answer:

Alhamdulillah:

Scholars differ regarding the hanging of Tamimah (amulets); some say it is permissible and some say it is impermissible. However, when we look at the commands of the Shariah, we find that the legal ruling is that hanging any type of amulet, whether Quranic or non-Quranic, is unanimously Haram (forbidden). Proofs for this are abundant in the Book and Sunnah:

Meaning of Ta’wiz

The Arabic name for the word “Ta’wiz” used in Urdu is “Al-Tamimah”. In the Arabic language, “Al-Tamimah” refers to a thread, string, or cord that is tied around the neck or any other part of the body.

What is Tamimah in terminology?

In this regard, the summary of definitions by scholars like Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Ibn al-Athir al-Jazari (may Allah have mercy on them) is that it refers to those threads, cords, and bowstrings that the Arabs in the Days of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah) used to hang on humans, animals, or houses etc. for protection against some evil, e.g., disease, evil eye, fever, magic, spells, and charms, or other calamities and afflictions, which Islam has declared prohibited.

(Fath al-Bari, 10/166; Al-Nihayah, 1/190)

In light of the definition by the scholars, it is known that every object used to repel any evil occurring in the future or present, and is considered effective in repelling that evil, falls under the ruling of an amulet. Whether it be threads, papers, wooden splinters, metals (gold, silver, copper, brass, iron etc.), horseshoes, or any such thing.

Evidence No. 1

أَعـوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْـطانِ الرَّجيـم

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

وَاِنۡ يَّمۡسَسۡكَ اللّٰهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهٗۤ اِلَّا هُوَ ‌ۚ وَاِنۡ يُّرِدۡكَ بِخَيۡرٍ فَلَا رَآدَّ لِفَضۡلِهٖ‌ ؕ يُصِيۡبُ بِهٖ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهٖ‌ ؕ وَهُوَ الۡغَفُوۡرُ الرَّحِيۡمُ

Translation: And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(Surah Yunus, Verse 107)

Elsewhere Allah Almighty says:

وَاِنۡ يَّمۡسَسۡكَ اللّٰهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهٗۤ اِلَّا هُوَ‌ؕ وَاِنۡ يَّمۡسَسۡكَ بِخَيۡرٍ فَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ

Translation: And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things.

(Surah Al-An’am, Verse 17)

Read a narration in the interpretation of these verses:

Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) says: One day I was (riding) behind the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), and he said: “O boy! I teach you a few words: Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask Allah, and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. And know that if the entire nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with something that Allah has written for you. And if they were to gather to harm you with something, they would not harm you except with something that Allah has written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Description of Resurrection, Chapter: 2516)

These verses and Hadith cut the root of Shirk. Because when a person's belief becomes firm that the One who removes grief and pain and the Owner of every kind of good is only Allah Almighty, then he does not consider it permissible to hang amulets, cords, wear rings/bands, prostrate before others, or offer votive gifts at their graves, nor does he believe they can remove diseases or fulfill needs; rather, he would consider it a great foolishness. The Quran has specifically emphasized that every kind of profit and loss, sickness and health is in Allah's hand. If this belief becomes firm, a person does not fall into Shirk. Nor does he get involved in these amulets and cords.

See further: Surah A’raf (188), Yunus (104-107), Fatir (2), Surah Zumar (38), and Surah Jinn (21).

There are countless proofs in the Ahadith of the Messenger ﷺ regarding the prohibition of amulets and cords. We quote some Ahadith here:

Evidence No. 2

عن عمران بن الحصین أن النبي ﷺ رأی رجلاً في یدہ حلقة من صفر فقال ما ھذہ ؟ قال: من الواھنة ، قال انزعھا فانھا لا تزیدک الا وھناً فانک لو مت وھيعلیک ما أفلحت أبداً“

It is narrated from Imran bin Husain (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man with a brass ring in his hand. He asked, "What is this?" The man said, "It is for Wahinah (a disease causing weakness in the shoulder or arm veins)."

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Remove it, for it will only increase you in weakness, and if you were to die while it is on you, you would never succeed."

(Musnad Ahmad, Vol 4/Pg 445, Hadith No. 20,000)

(Mustadrak Al-Hakim, 4/216, authenticated and agreed upon by Al-Dhahabi).

(Ibn Baz (1419 AH), Fatawa Nur Ala Al-Darb by Ibn Baz 1/383 • Its chain is good)

Evidence No. 3

قال النبيﷺ :

”من تعلق تمیمة فلا أتم اللہ لہ، ومن تعلق ودعة فلا ودع اللہ لہ“

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever hangs a Tamimah (amulet), may Allah not fulfill his need, and whoever hangs a seashell, may Allah not give him peace/rest.”

(Musnad Ahmad: 4/154, Hadith No. 17404)

(Mustadrak Al-Hakim: 4/216, authenticated and agreed upon by Al-Dhahabi).

(Ibn Baz (1419 AH), Fatawa Nur Ala Al-Darb by Ibn Baz 1/341 • Proven •

(Abu Ya’la (1759), and Al-Tabarani in ‘Musnad Al-Shamiyyin’ (234))

Evidence No. 4

It is narrated from Uqbah bin Amir Al-Juhani (RA) that a group of ten men came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He accepted the pledge of allegiance (Bai’ah) from nine of them and withheld it from one. They asked, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, you accepted the pledge from nine and left one?” He replied, “Because he is wearing an amulet.” The man put his hand in, cut the amulet and threw it away. Then the Prophet ﷺ accepted his pledge and said: “Whoever hangs an amulet has committed Shirk.”

(Musnad Ahmad: 4/156, Hadith No. 17422)

(And Al-Sahiha by Al-Albani, No. 492)

Evidence No. 5

[عن عزرة:] دخلَ حذيفةُ على مريضٍ، فرأى في عضُدِه سَيرًا فقطَعَهُ أو انتزَعَه، ثمَّ قالَ: وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ

[From ‘Azrah:] Hudhaifah (RA) visited a sick person and saw a thread tied on his upper arm. He cut it or pulled it off, and then recited: ﴿وما یوٴمن أکثرھم باللہ الا وھم مشرکون﴾ “And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him” (Yusuf: 106).

(Ibn Baz (1419 AH),

Al-Fawaid Al-Ilmiyyah min Al-Durus Al-Baziyah Vol 3/Pg 182 • [In it] Asim bin Abi al-Najud is truthful (Saduq), Asim al-Ahwal is trustworthy (Thiqah), and ‘Azrah is also trustworthy. I do not know the status of Muhammad bin Al-Husain bin Ibrahim bin Ishkab; I reviewed it long ago, he is acceptable (La Ba’sa bihi), and the rest are well-known.)

Evidence No. 6

Abdullah bin Masood (RA) says that I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying: “In al-Ruqa wal-Tama’im wal-Tiwalah Shirk.” “Incantations (Ruqyah), Amulets (Tama’im) [for protection against evil eye or any disease], and Love-charms (Tiwalah) [practices done to create love between husband and wife] are Shirk.”

(Sahih Ibn Majah by Al-Albani: 2/269)

(Musnad Ahmad, 1/381 Hadith No. 3615)

(Al-Silsilah Al-Sahihah, 2972)

Evidence No. 7

عیسیٰ بن عبد الرحمن کہتے ہیں،

دخلت علَى عبدِ اللَّهِ بنِ حُكَيْمٍ وبِهِ حُمرةٌ، فقلت: ألا تعلِّقُ تَميمةً ؟ فقالَ:: نعوذُ باللَّهِ مِن ذلِكَ وفي روايةٍ الموتُ أقرَبُ من ذلِكَ، قالَ رسولُ اللَّهِ مَن علَّقَ شيئًا وُكِلَ إليهِ

Isa bin Abdul Rahman says:

I visited Abdullah bin Ukaim (RA) while he was sick with Humrah (erysipelas/a skin condition). I said, “Why don’t you hang an amulet?” He said: “We seek refuge in Allah from that.” And in one narration [he said]: “Death is closer than that. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Whoever hangs something is entrusted to it.'”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2072) Sahih

(Al-Albani (1420 AH), Ghayat al-Maram 297 • Hasan)

(Al-Albani (1420 AH), Sahih al-Targhib 3456 • Hasan li-ghayrihi)

Evidence No. 8

Sa’id bin Jubair (RA) says: The Messenger ﷺ said, “Whoever cuts an amulet etc. from someone’s neck, he will get the reward of freeing a slave.”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah Hadith No. 3524, and Hadith No. 3518)

Evidence No. 9

Narrated by Abdullah bin Masood (RA), he says I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying that Incantations, Amulets, and Love-charms [referring to satanic practices] are all Shirk.

(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 3615) Hasan li-ghayrihi

Evidence No. 10

In Abu Dawood, this incident is reported in these words:

The wife of Abdullah bin Masood (RA), Sayyidah Zainab (RA), says that once my husband Abdullah (RA) saw a thread on my neck and asked, “What is this thread?” I replied, “This thread has been blown upon (Ruqyah) for me.” Upon hearing this, he cut that thread from my neck and threw it away, saying, “You, the family of Abdullah (RA), are free from Shirk. I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying that Incantations, Amulets, and Love-charms are Shirk.”

[She asked] “Why do you say this? By Allah, my eye used to pop out due to severe pain, and I used to go to a certain Jew’s house to get it blown upon (Ruqyah). When he blew on it, I would feel relief.”

Sayyiduna Abdullah (RA) said, “This is a satanic act. He (the devil) would prick it with his hand, and when the Ruqyah was done, he would stop his hand. Therefore, it was sufficient for you to say as the Messenger ﷺ used to say:

أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، ‏‏‏‏‏‏لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Translation: “O Lord of the people, remove the trouble! Cure, for You are the Curer. There is no cure except Your cure, a cure that leaves no disease.”

(Sunan Abi Dawood – Hadith No. 3883) Sahih

(Sunan Ibn Majah, 3530)

(Musnad Ahmad, 3615)

(Al-Sahihah, 2972)

The Companions (Sahaba), Successors (Tabi’in), and righteous predecessors also did not consider amulets permissible, whether Quranic or non-Quranic.

Such as the opinion of Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masood, Hudhaifah, Uqbah bin Amir, Ibn Ukaim, Ibrahim Nakha’i, Ibn al-Arabi, Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Najdi, Sheikh Abdur Rahman Al-Sa’di, Hafiz Hakami, Sheikh Muhammad Hamid Al-Faqi, and among the contemporaries, the Muhaddith of the era Allama Al-Albani and the Mufti of the era Allama Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah). Similarly, the statements of the Tabi’in are also well known.

Evidence No. 11

Thus, Ibrahim Nakha’i (Rahimahullah) says regarding the Sahaba:

ﺣﺪﺛﻨﺎ ﺃﺑﻮ ﺑﻜﺮ ﻗﺎﻝ: ﺣﺪﺛﻨﺎ ﻫﺸﺎﻡ، ﻋﻦ ﻣﻐﻴﺮﺓ، ﻋﻦ ﺇﺑﺮاﻫﻴﻢ، ﻗﺎﻝ: «ﻛﺎﻧﻮا ﻳﻜﺮﻫﻮﻥ اﻟﺘﻤﺎﺋﻢ ﻛﻠﻬﺎ، ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺮﺁﻥ ﻭﻏﻴﺮ اﻟﻘﺮﺁﻥ»

“The Sahaba used to dislike all amulets, whether from the Quran or other than the Quran.”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: Vol 7/Pg 374, 23467)

From all these narrations, it is proven definitively that amulets, cords, rings, and bands, whether Quranic or non-Quranic, and for whatever purpose they are hung, are all Shirk and Haram.

Some people say that “those other amulets are forbidden, but Quranic amulets are permissible.” Let us now analyze their arguments.

Argument No. 1

The statement of Allah Almighty:

﴿وننزل من القرآن ما ھو شفاء ورحمة للموٴمنین﴾

"And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe" (Al-Isra: 82)

(In this verse, the Quran is called a cure) Therefore, it is permissible to hang it around the neck for healing.

Answer:

This verse is general, the details and explanation of which are found in the Ahadith of the Messenger, that it is permissible to read the Quran and blow (Ruqyah) on the patient.

However, there is no mention of making amulets in this verse, nor is there any proof of it from the Sahaba.

And if, hypothetically, it is accepted that the Quran should be hung considering it a cure,

Then Allah has also called honey a cure in the Quran; so would any wise person hang a bottle of honey around their neck to get a cure, or by drinking the honey?

Therefore, just as there is cure in eating honey, similarly, there is cure in reading the Quran, not in hanging it.

Argument No. 2

Mother of the Believers Aisha (RA) said that: “(Tamimah) Amulet is that which is hung before a calamity strikes, not after it.”

(Al-Bayhaqi: 9/351)

Answer:

This statement (Athar) of Mother Aisha (RA) is general, and it does not mention hanging the Quran as an amulet. Rather, it only explains the nature of Tamimah (amulet).

Argument No. 3

The action of Abdullah bin Amr (RA): It is narrated from him that he used to write the following supplication for anxiety and hang it around the necks of his prepubescent children: “Bismillah A’udhu bi-Kalimatillah al-Tammat…”

(Musnad Ahmad: 2/181. And Al-Tirmidhi: 3528)

Answer:

This narration (Athar) of Abdullah bin Amr (RA) is not authentic (Sahih), because Muhammad bin Ishaq, who is a Mudallis (one who conceals the source), has narrated it with the word “An” (from).

(Sahih Sunan Abu Dawood by Al-Albani: 2/737. And Al-Silsilah Al-Sahihah: 1/585).

Furthermore, Sheikh Muhammad Hamid Al-Faqi comments on this narration: “This narration is weak. Moreover, the claim is not proven by it either, because the narration mentions that he used to make the older children memorize this supplication, and for the small children, he would write it on tablets and hang it around their necks for this purpose (memorization). Therefore, its purpose was to make the children memorize the Dua, not to make an amulet. Secondly, amulets are written on paper, not on tablets.”

(Fath al-Majid: 142)

The statements of the Sahaba regarding the prohibition of amulets are quoted above, and the narrations regarding permissibility reported from some Sahaba are not authentic. And the Sahaba knew the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ better than others.

Therefore:

The proofs for the prohibition of amulets are general (as mentioned in the narrations above), and there is no such narration that specifies the permissibility of Quranic amulets. If hanging Quranic amulets were permissible, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would have definitely stated it, just as he clarified the permissibility of blowing/breathing (Ruqyah) with Quranic verses etc., provided they do not contain Shirk.

The Prophetic command ﷺ is:

”اعرضوا علي رقاکم، لا بأس بالرقیٰ مالم تکن شرکا“

“Present your Ruqyahs (incantations) to me; there is no harm in Ruqyah as long as it does not contain Shirk.” (Sahih Muslim)

Hanging Quranic amulets is also a cause of disrespect to the Quran and violation of its sanctity, for example, wearing it and going into latrines, bathrooms, and other inappropriate places. Similarly, wearing it during intercourse, state of wet dreams, and menstruation/post-natal bleeding etc. is disrespect to the Quran and this is Haram.

Saudi Mufti Sheikh Saleh Al-Munajjid (Rahimahullah) was asked about this:

Question:

My wife has an amulet containing Quranic verses; can she enter the toilet wearing it?

Answer:

Alhamdulillah.

It is not permissible to take anything containing Quranic verses into the toilet because it is an insult to the Speech of Allah. Therefore, it is not permissible for your wife to enter the toilet with it; rather, she should take it off before entering.

Our advice is that nothing containing Quranic verses should be worn around the neck of any man, woman, or child, nor are wearing amulets correct, even if one does not go into the toilet, because wearing them is not permissible.

And Allah knows best.

(islamqa.info Question-2255)

And Sheikh Saleh Al-Uthaymeen (Rahimahullah) was asked in a question:

Question:

What is the ruling on keeping the Quran in the car for protection from accidents and evil eye, and for blessings (Tabarruk)?

Text of the Answer:

Alhamdulillah.

Keeping the Quran in the car for protection from evil eye and accidents is an innovation (Bid’ah) because the Sahaba (Noble Companions) did not carry the Quran to protect against accidents, dangers, and evil eye. So this is an innovation, also because the Prophet ﷺ said: (Every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire).

(Question to Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Uthaymeen (Rahimahullah) via telephone)

(Al-Bida’ wa ma la asla lahu pg. 259).

And the following question was asked to Sheikh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah):

Question?

Some people hang Quranic verses and Prophetic Hadiths in rooms of houses, hotels, and offices. Similarly, in hospitals and dispensaries, they hang the command of Allah “Wa idha maridtu fahuwa yashfeen” (And when I am ill, it is He who cures me) etc.?

Answer:

So the Virtuous Sheikh answered it saying:

What the questioner has mentioned, if it is for the education and advice of people, then there is no harm in it. But if the purpose is that it provides protection against Satan and Jinn, then I do not know of any evidence regarding this. Similarly, keeping the Quran in the car for blessings (Tabarruk) is also not prescribed (Mashru’), nor is there any evidence found for it. However, if it is kept so that the passengers may recite and read it, or he himself reads it sometimes, then this is a good thing in which there is no harm.

And Allah is the One who grants Tawfiq.

(Fatawa Islamiyah by Sheikh Ibn Baz (4 / 29))

Therefore, according to the sayings of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, the righteous predecessors, the Sahaba and Tabi’in, the Imams and Muhaddithin, and other scholars, the preferred and correct view is that hanging an amulet, whether Quranic or non-Quranic, is Haram, as proven by the scholarly analysis of the arguments of both parties. And whoever hangs any amulet or ties a thread, he actually connects himself to other than Allah. And whoever adopts an attachment to amulets, threads, and magic/spells, Allah Almighty entrusts such a person to these very things. He disgraces and humiliates him. And removes him from His mercy. And the person whose heart’s connection is established with Allah, and he places the responsibility of all his needs upon Allah, turns only to Allah, and entrusts all matters to Allah, then Allah Almighty takes the responsibility of fulfilling all his necessities Himself. He becomes the Sufficer for all his needs.

May Allah guide us all and grant us the ability to walk on the straight path. Ameen.

Reference: https://alfurqan.info/problems/577