16.✿Legitimate and Illegitimate Amulets
Q)’Abdullah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I heard the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) say:
إِنَّ الرُّقَى وَالثَّمَائِمَ وَالتَّوَلَةَ شِرْكٌ
(Verily, incantations, amulets and Tiwalah are Shirk)[41]
Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I had an uncle who used to treat people with incantations for the scorpion’s sting. When the Prophet(ﷺ) forbade incantations, he came to him and asked him: “O Messenger of Allah, You have forbidden incantations, and I treat those who are stung by scorpions with incantations. He (ﷺ)said:
مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَنْفَعَ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ
(He who can help his brother, let him do so.)[42]
How do we compromise between the Hadith which forbids, and that which permits? And what is the ruling on wearing an amulet containing Qur’anic words on the chest of the affected person?
A)The forbidden formulas for incantations are those containing Shirk, beseeching other than Allah, or meaningless words. But incantations that are free from such things, are legitimate, and are among the great means of healing. The Prophet (ﷺ)said:
لا بَأْسَ بِالرُّقَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ شِرْكًا
(There is no harm in incantations as long as they do not include Shirk)[43]
And he (ﷺ)said:
مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَنْفَعَ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَنْفَعْهُ
(He who can help his brother, let him do so.)[44]
He also said:
لَا رُقْيَةَ إِلَّا مِنْ عَيْنٍ أَوْ حُمَةٍ
(No incantation for other than the envious eye or venomous sting.)[45]
This means the most affective and beneficial incantation is that which is used in these two cases. The Prophet (ﷺ)was himself treated with incantation, and he treated others with it.
As for wearing amulets by children and patients, it is not permissible. Such are called ‘trinkets.’ But the most valid opinion is that they are a form of Shirk, and unlawful, because the
Prophet (ﷺ)said:
مَنْ لَبِسَ تَمِيمَةٌ فَلَا أَتَمَّ اللهُ لَهُ، وَمَنْ تَعَلَّقَ وَدَعَةً فَلَا وَدَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ
He who wears an amulet; may Allah not help him, he who wears a shell; may Allah not protect him.[46]
مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ تَمِيمَةً فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ
(He who wears an amulet commits Shirk)[47]
And he (ﷺ)said:
إنَّ الرُّقَى وَالتَّمَائِمَ وَالتَّوَلَةَ شِرْكٌ
(Verily, incantations amulets and Tiwalah are Shirk)[48]
The scholars are at variance regarding the legality of wearing amulets containing Qur’anic Verses. The correct verdict is that they are unlawful, for two reason:
- The general prohibition of wearing any kind of amulets according to the Prophetic traditions whether they contain Qur’anic Verses or not.
- Leaving no room for using formulas of Shirk, for if the amulets containing Qur’anic Verses were allowed then they may be confused with the other amulets, and that will keep the door open to Shirk, and all kinds of amulets would be worn on that ground. It is known that closing the door to things that lead to Shirk and evil deeds is one of the greatest judicial objectives. It is Allah who grants success.
Ibn Baz
[41: Abu Dawud no. 3883, Ahmad 1:381 and Al-Hakim 4:418.]
[42: Muslim no. 2199.]
[43: Muslim no. 2200.]
[44: Muslim no. 2199.]
[45: Al-Bukhari no. 5705 and Muslim no. 220.]
[46: Ahmad 4:154 and Abu Ya’la no. 1759. See Majma’uz-Zawa’id 5:103.]
[47: Ahmad 4:156 and Al-Hakim 4:417. See Majma’uz-Zawa’id 5:103.]
[48: Abu Dawud no. 3883, Ahmad 1:381 and Al-Hakim 4:418.]
REFERENCE:
BOOK: Fatawa Islamiyah[Islamic Verdicts] volume: 01
From Noble scholars along with The permanent committe & the decisions of the fiqh council.