The Truth Behind Herbal Dhoni Pack: Harmal, Googol, and Loban Myths

Understanding the Claims and Real Benefits of Harmal, Googol, and Loban

Question: I received an image with the label “Herbal Dhoni Pack” in English, which mentions “harmal, googol, and loban (anti-bacterial/anti-viral)” and lists benefits like removing negative effects, purifying the environment, and relieving fatigue. What is the truth behind this?

Answer: Those who perform amulets and suggest remedies for magic and evil eye often recommend using the smoke of harmal (esfand), googol, and loban. They claim that harmal smoke drives away evil spirits, googol smoke eliminates magic, and loban smoke removes negative effects and magic from the house. While some weak hadiths mention burning loban and other herbs in the house, none of these hadiths are authentic. For example, Imam Bayhaqi called one hadith weak that suggests burning loban and shīh (a plant) in the home. Other similar hadiths about using loban for magic are also considered weak or fabricated. However, there is no harm in using fragrant smoke like incense or bakhoor in the home, but the claims about harmal, googol, and loban’s powers to remove magic are false. The real solution for magic and evil is the recitation of authentic supplications (adhkar) from the Sunnah.

Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah 

Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia  

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail