AMULET

An amulet is defined as an object worn, especially around the child’s neck, as a charm to protect him from evil and envious eyes. However, some scholars of our Salaf (early Muslim scholars) permit attaching amulets if they contain Qur’anic verses, whereas some others including Ibn Mas’ ud deem it forbidden. The Prophet only mentions legal incantations, which are free of all forms of polytheism. Such legal incantations, according to the Prophet’s commands, may be recited for the persons who fall prey to envious eyes or those stung by a harmful animal. As far as the tiwalah is concerned, it is a form of magic wrongly believed to make a wife more endeared to her husband or to make a husband more beloved by his wife.

Keywords and Phrases 

 

❖ Legal Incantation:

It refers to a ritual recitation of some verses of the Ever-Glorious Qur’an for those suffering a disease or an affliction. It may also be breathed into water, which is given to the patient. A legal incantation may also be written on a dish and then erased by applying fresh water, which is presented to the sufferer. Conclusion

 

❖ Legal incantation may be held permissible or prohibited.

To become permissible, a legal incantation must be free of any form, act or conviction entailing polytheism. If it is contaminated by any act of polytheism, it will be rendered prohibited. 

 

❖ Amulet is absolutely prohibited:

If it contains any spell or charm entailing polytheism according to the consensus of Muslim scholars. Scholars, however, differed on the amulet containing passages of the Qur’an: While some permitted it, others forbade it. The sound view is that it is forbidden lest its use should open further avenues of innovative acts of worship. It is similarly prohibited for the sake of securing the Qur’an from all innovative practices. 

 

❖ Tiwalah id forbidden:

According to the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars, tiwalah is forbidden because it is classified as a form of sorcery.

2. TYPE:

Ibn Mas’ ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

“I heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying, ‘Using (illegal) incantations, amulets, or tiwalah (a kind o f magic used to make a woman loves her husband), is an act o f polytheism.’ ”

2 (Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud)

General Meaning of the Hadith The Prophet (PBUH) affirms that reciting an illegal incantation, attaching an amulet and referring to sorcery to repel harm or derive a benefit are acts of polytheism, as none can guard against evil or bring benefit other than Allah, Glorified be He. Relevance of the Hadith to the Chapter This hadith affirms that using any of the aforementioned means entails polytheism, and thus impairs one’s pure belief. Lessons Drawn from the Hadith 

❖ A Muslim should be alert to all forms and acts of polytheism. 

❖ It is impermissible to seek the help of amulets, incantations, or tiwalahs. 

❖ Being confident about the influence of incantations, amulets, or tiwalahs is an act of polytheism

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Ukaym (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, as a marfu’ hadith, that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“If anyone wears anything (like an amulet) (believing that it brings good or repels evil), Allah will leave him to such a thing he attached himself to.

‘Abdullah Ibn’Ukaym (the Narrator) ‘Abdullah Ibn’Ukaym was nicknamed Abu Ma’bad Al-Juhani Al-Kufi. Though he was alive during the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH), there is no evidence that he heard any hadith from the Prophet (PBUH). General Meaning of the Hadith In this hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) states that if the person attaches his heart, or his deeds or both to any false deity or object besides Allah believing that it can bring benefit or avert harm, he will be left to such a thing and deprived of Allah’s compassion. However, whoever turns to Allah will have all his affairs accomplished, and his hardships released. Relevance of the Hadith to the Chapter According to the hadith, it is forbidden and greatly condemned to attach oneself to any object believing that it can independently bring benefit or avert harm.

 

Lessons Drawn from the Hadith 

❖ It is prohibited to attach oneself to any object besides Allah. 

❖ A Muslim must exclusively rely on Allah for accomplishing all his deeds.

 ❖ Falling into polytheism incurs great harm and bad consequences.

 ❖ Rewards are always proportionate to deeds.

Imam Ahmad related that Ruwayfi’ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated; “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

‘O Ruwayfi’! You may live for a long time after I am gone, so, tell people that if anyone ties his beard or wears a string round his neck to ward off the evil eye, or cleanses himself (after defecation or urination) with animal dung or bone, then Muhammad has nothing to do with him.

General Meaning of the Hadith The Prophet (PBUH) assured Ruwayfi’ that he would live for a long time until he witnessed a group of people who would renounce his guidance by committing certain forbidden acts. Such people would deviate from the Prophets guidance of letting one’s beard grow to twisting their beards into ringlets or coils in a way that resembles the manners of effeminate men. Those people would also exercise acts impairing pure belief such as wearing necklaces or attaching them to animals’ necks mainly for the sake of averting anticipated harm. Such a group of people would further commit violations of the Prophet’s exemplary practices. They would, therefore, cleanse themselves by using impure objects such as dung or bone. Therefore, the Prophet (PBUH) entrusted Ruwayfi’ with the task of informing Muslims that their Prophet would dissociate himself from those who would dare to commit such abominable acts.

Relevance of the Hadith to the Chapter This hadith stresses the prohibition of wearing amulets for the sake of averting harm, as it is an act of polytheism. It is Allah Alone, Who can guard against any harm.

 

Lessons Drawn from the Hadith 

❖ This hadith is a proof of Muhammad’s prophethood. The Prophet foretold that Ruwayfi’ would lead a long life. He had a long lifespan and died in 56 A.H. 

❖ People should be fully informed about the legal duties and the prohibitions with which they must comply.

 ❖ It is permissible to honor one’s beard and let it grow, whereas shaving, cutting, twisting or even curling it is prohibited. 

❖ Wearing a necklace to repel harm is prohibited, as it is an act of polytheism. 

❖ Cleansing oneself with animal dung or bone is prohibited. 

❖ The aforementioned prohibitions are classified as major sins

 

REFERENCE:

“CONCISE COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF TAWHID”

BY SHAYKH DR. SALIH AL FAWZAN.